Made-

Mai
dJustForHi
m

“
Thi
sitAphi
we,
yourl
i
febegi
nsnow”
.
Idon’tknowwhatexcit
edmet hemost
,get
ti
ng
ajoborl eav
inghome.Don’
tgetmewrongil
ove
my  
andAuntbutthewaytheytr
eatmesomet
imes.
Here’
saquickdescr
ipt
ion.
Mynamei sAphiweSi shi.Iwasraisedbymy
grandmaandaunt .Iam from uMsunduzi
(I
ndwedwe).Thisisnott hefi
rstti
mel eaving
home.Ihavebeenawaymostofmyhi gh
schooll
if
e.Nowt hati’
m donewi thschool i
havetogolookforaj ob.Myauntgotmeaj ob
atLaLuciaRidgeasamai d.SeenowIam v ery
l
ightski
nnedsomecal lmeay ell
owbone, ot
her
Colour
edandmyf ri
endSanecal lsmeuMl ungu.
I’
m 18yearsoldandv erysmoot hfl
awl essskin.
 
Iam i
nat
axi
onmywayVer
ulam sot
hati
can
cat
chanothertaketoGat eway,wheni gett
here
iwi
llwaitf
ormybosst ocomepi ckmeup.Iam
ner
vous,anxi
ousandexci ted.Iknow,some
wouldsaywhatexact l
yisexciti
ngaboutbeinga
maid.Welli
t’
searningyourownmoneyand
hel
pingmaKhany i
le(Mygrandma) .
Soi gottoGat ewayandi waitedbythetaxirank.
Igotat extsayingthati shouldgoby
McDonal d’sandt heywi l
lfet
chmei n30
minutes.Soi mademywayt hereandwaitedfor
someonet ocomepi ckmeup.Igott herequick
becausei am famil
iarwiththeplace(yes,i
knowGat ewayl i
kethebackofmyhand)but
that
’sforanot herday .
 
Myphoner
ings;
 
Me:
Hel
l
o.
Lady
:Wher
ear
eyou?
 
Me: AtMcDonal
d’si
’m weari
ng.-
tut
utu,she
droppedthecal
l
.I’
m st
ill
standi
ngtherelooking
atmyblankphonewhenabeaut i
full
adywal ks
upt
ome.Shel
ookscol
our
ed.
 
Lady
:Aphi
we?
 
Me:
YesMadam.
Lady:
Come,andpl
easedon’
tcal
lmeMadam.
I’
m Amanda.
 
Me:
Yesmam,
sor
ryAmanda.
Lady
:Come.
 
Soi foll
owherouttotheparki
ngt hat’
soutside
acrosst her
oad.Sheistaki
nglongst r
idesli
kea
model .Ihav
etokeepupwi thmybi gheav ybag.
Shel eadsmetoav erybeaut
if
ul car,
it’
sa
Mer cedesofsomesor t
.Igoti
nandshedr ov e
off
.She’ spl
ayi
ngmusi candsingingalongwhen
thecal l
comesthrough.
Amanda:
Heybabe.
Guy
:Hey
.Ukephi
? 
Amanda:I
m onmywaytoyourplacet
odrop
of
f.
..
”Shetur
nsar
oundandlooksatme.Asks
mef
ormynameonceagai
n.
Me:
Aphi
weSi
shi
mam.
Amy:Aphiwe,
hernameisAphi
we.WhenI
’
m
donei
’m comi
ngbacktoworkdudey
ouowe
me 
Guy
:Iknowbabe,
wil
lmakei
tupt
oyou.
Amy
:Lov
eyou,
bye.
Guy
:By
e.
Amanda:
SoAphiwe,
what
’saddggi
rll
i
key
ou
doi
ngher
e,bei
ngamaid?
Me:
Ihav
etohel
poutmygr
an.
Amy
:Youknowwhatddgmeans?
Me:Yea,
ireadal
otofmagsmygr
anbr
ings
home.
Amy
:ohokay
.
Wearequietagai
n.Inlessthan5minut
eswe
ar
eatthi
sbeaut i
ful
house.Maaanohman, i
tsa
dr
eam.ThoseTopBi ll
i
ngt y
peofhouses.
Wewentoutandshewentandopenedt
he
house.I
twasev
enbet
teri
nside.
Amy :
Okay,
iml eav
ingnow.Youwi
l
lmeet
ThobaandStephanylat
er.
 
Me:
Thosear
ethebosspeopl
e? 
Amy :Yes,comeletmeshowy outoyourroom.
”
Ifol
l
owedherandgoti nt othisroom wi
thall
ki
ndsofshadesofwhi te.Itwasv eryel
egant
andexquisit
e.“Thi
swil
l bey ourroom.Restabit
andstartondinner
.Theywi llbebackin5hours,
ihavetogobackt owork.By e”
Me:
Byemadam.
 
Amanda:Byt
heway
,y ouar
ereall
ybeaut
iful
.
Youshoul
dgi
vemetipsaboutski
n.Bye.
Weird,Idon’
tuseanyt
hingformyskinj
ustplain
oldsunli
ghttowashmywhol ebody.Ohwelllet
megr abashowerandst ar
tcooki
ng.Iwonder
howMrandMr sEvanslookli
kebuthowcome
cosBhutThobaspeaksI si
zul
u.Ohwell
.
Iwasbusyprepar
ingdinnerwhi
l
esi ngingt
o
RihannawhenIhear
dsomeonecl earinghi
s
throat
…ohmyohmy …
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

#2

Thoba

Todayhasbeenoneofthoseday swher eIjust

wanttogohome,bathSteff
igiv
eherf ood, go
dothesameandrest.Imissmydearwi f
e,she
wasmywhol eworl
d.Shedied3y earsago
whenSteff
iwasonl
y2.Myl if
ewasnev erthe
same,yesIhadt
hosedatesbutt heynever
exci
tedme.AsIdri
veIrecei
veacal lf
rom my
si
sterAmy.
Me:
Heyl
ove
Amy
:Il
eftt
hegi
rlaty
ourpl
ace 
Me:
Whatgi
rl
?
Amy
:Newhel
per
,Aphi
weSi
shi
.
Me:
That
’shername?Yer
ranot
herf
arm gi
rl
. 
Amy:Heheoooht
hisonei
sav
erymoder
nfar
m
gi
rl
. 
Me:
Isit
?WellIbetshe’
sugly
.Babeli
sten,
ther
e
i
saroadbl
ockwillcal
lyouwhenIgethome.
Amy
:by
elov
e. 
Whent alki
ngtomybabysi sonewoul dthi
nkI
am speakingtoagi r
lf
ri
endofsomesor tbutno,
wegr ewupcalli
ngeachot hert
hatbecauseour
parentswouldcall
eachotherallsor
tsof
endearing’
ssoitstuck.
I
’m aDoct oratStAugustine’
sHospital
,Ilove
myjob( sometimes)butsomet imesIjustfeel
l
ikewalkingaway ,If
eell
ikeaf ai
lur
esomet imes
becauseIf ai
l
edt osavemywi fe.Herparents
thi
nk“Godwant edtotakeher”.WhydoesGod
gi
vey
ouaper
sont
olov
eandt
aket
hem away
. 
SoIdri
vehomewit
hallt
hesethought
sgoing
thr
oughmyhead,
Stef
fiasl
eepinhercarseat
HowIl ovemybabygi rl
,beforeIknowitI
’m
dri
vingi nmyhouse.Ipar kinthegarageandI
wakeSt ef
fiup,shehatesitwhenIcarryher
i
nside.Makesmedoi talloveragai
n.Go
outside,ti
eherinherseatr ever
separkagain
andopent hedoorforhert owalkonherownt o
thehousesoi magineifIdon’twakeherup.I
’m
notint hemoodt oday.
St
eff
i:Daddy
Me:
Hmmm
St
eff
i:Imi
ssmommy
.
Andher
eIam thi
nki
ngt
hatshedoesnot
rememberher
.
Me:
Met
oohoney
,met
oo.
St
eff
i:Daddy
Me:
Yeshoney
.
St
eff
i:Ar
eyougonnagetmeanewmommy
?
Me:
Whybaby
?
St
eff
i:because.
.
Me:
Becausewhathoney
?
Steff
i:Ngy
abhor
ekababa,
abanyeabant
wana
theyhavemommi esmi
naanginay
e.
WhoawhenshespeaksIsizul
ushemeans
busi
ness.Idon’
tknowwhattosaytoher
becauseevenwhenIdat
eIdon’tbr
ingwomen
home.OhGod. .
Me:OkaySt
handwa,
wewi
l
ltal
kaboutt
hisaf
ter
di
nner
.
Wewal ktowardsthehouseandwhenIopenI
am metbyawonder f
ularoma.Someoneis
cooking.JustthenIrememberAmyt el
l
ingme
aboutaAphi weSi shi
.Ohjesus.Let
sgomeet
thisgir
l.Iwal
kt owardsthekit
chenandsheis
singi
ngaRi hannasong. 
Wegett hereandherbacki sf acingus.SoI
clearedmyt hroat.Shet urnedar oundandWOW,
sheisnotwhatIexpect ed.Shel ookssooy oung,
beaut i
fulandsexy .Shehasmi l
kyskin,so
fl
awlessandsmoot h.Pinklipsandhai rso
naturalyou’dsweart heycarvedt hi
sgirl
.But
thiscan’tbemymai d,nooitcannotbe.Iam
slowlyget t
ingahar donj ustbyl ooki
ngather .
Shei swear ingleggingsandabaggyt -
shi
rt.
Me:
Erm sor
ryt
ober
udebutwhoar
eyou?
 
Her:Ohsorr
ysi r,mynameisAphiweSi
shi”she
saysasshewi pesherhandswalksupt
omet o
givemeahandshake.WhenweshakehandsI
feelsomuchel ectr
ici
tyl
i
kesomeoneshocked
me, Il
eti
tsl
ide. 
Me:Nicetomeety
ouAphi
we.Iam Thoba,
ThobaEvans.
Her
:Ni
cetomeety
outoo.Si
sAmandat
oldme
t
ogetst
art
edondi
nner
..
 
JustwhenI
’
m aboutt
oanswerherSt
eff
ifl
i
es
i
ntoherar
ms.
 
St
eff
i:Mommy
yy!
!Ar
eyoumynewmommy
? 
Aphi
welooksatmewi t
hey eswideopenandI
j
ustst
andther
enotknowi ngwhattodoorsay.I
seeAphi
westandup;goingtothestovet
o
l
owertheheat
.ShethentakesSteff
ibyhand,
l
eadi
nghertothel
ounge.Ifoll
ow.Theysiti
na
si
ngl
ecouchwithSt
effionherlap.
Aphi
we:
Mynamei
sAphi
weSi
shi
.What
syour
s?
St
eff
i:I
’
m St
ephanyEv
ansbuty
oucancal
lme
St
eff
y. 
Aphi
we: okaybaby,li
stenokay?Im notyournew
mommyBUTIam y ournewf r
iend.Iwil
ldo
ever
ythi
ngwi t
hy ouandhelpyouev erywayIcan.
Anyt
hingy ouneed;anyti
meI’l
lbethere.
Steff
i:Ohokay.Buty
oupr
omi
set
oal
way
stake
careofme?  
Aphi
wel
etsoutapi
nki
efi
nger
.
“
crossmyhear
tandhopet
odi
e.Nowr
unal
ong
I
’
llbei
nyourr
oom j
ustnow.
”
Me:
I’
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
,i…
Aphi
we:Noneedf
orapol
ogi
esbutwher
eisher
mom?  
Me:
Shedi
ed.
Her
:ButwhataboutAmanda?
Me:
Whatabouther
? 
Her
:Isn’
tshey
ourwi
fe?
 
Me:
Noooshe’
smybabysi
ster
. 
Her
:Ohsor
ry,
Ithought
…
Me:Wel
lIdon’
tpayyoutochitchatandt
hinkal
l
day
.Mydaughteri
swait
ingforyou.
Aphi
we:
Sor
rysi
r.
Sheleav
esmest andingt
herewit
hherhead
boweddown.Great,j
ustgreat
.Iwasanassjust
nowbutIcanthelpit
.Sheneedtostayaway
fr
om meorelseIwilldosomethi
ngtoher.I
canthel
pthi
nkthatIhaveseenhersomewhere.
Ineedt
oaskherwhenIseeherl
ater
.Letme
cal
lAmy.
Amy
:heybabe
Me:Whatt
hefucklov
e?YousentTHATgi
rlt
o
bemymaid?Didyouseeher
?
Amy
:YesIdi
d.I
sther
eany
thi
ngwr
ong?
Me:Shel
ooksl
ikeaBloodysupermodel
andt
o
makethi
ngsworseSt
effii
scal
li
nghermommy.
Amy
:Hahahahat
ell
mey
ou’
rej
oki
ng?
Me:
Afr
aidnot
.
Amy:Youhav
etoadmi
tthoughshei
ssexy
gor
geous.
 
Me:
YeahIknow,
whi
chmakest
hisdi
ff
icul
t.
Amy
:Hahahahowexact
ly.
Me:
youknowwhat
?BYEDUMMY
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m
I
nser
t3

Aphi
we
Wow, he’
saj erk.Agor
geousjer
k*giggl
es*but
I’
m notheretocheckoutmyboss.St ef
fii
sa
sweeti
e,Ifeelsorr
yfort
heli
tt
legir
l.Shethi
nks
I’
m heretobehermommy .
 
Me:
Heybaby
Steff
i:Heybaby
.Youar
egoi
ngt
ogi
vemea
bath?
HahaIl
aughatherr
esponse.Shecal
l
smebaby
aswel
l.
Me:
yesandaftert
hebat
hwe’
l
lgogetf
oodand
t
hecuddl
es.
..
Her:Yeeey
, l
etsgobat
h.Let
sgobat
h!”She
say
sj umpingupanddown
Ooohi
’
minl
ovewi
tht
hiscut
echubbychi
l
d. 
I
t’
sthef
athert
hatI
’
m wor
ri
edabout
Igetherof
fthebedandwewalkedt
othe
bathr
oom andgotheri
nsi
de.
St
eff
i:Comej
oinmepl
ease.
Me:
Nobaby
,youbat
hiwi
l
ljoi
nyout
omor
row.
St
eff
i:Butwhy?Whydon’
tyouwantt
obat
hwi
th
memommy ? 
Me:
Babyi
’
m onl
ysi
sAphi
we
St
eff
i:No!Youar
emommy
Me:
Okaybaby
,let
’sgety
oucl
ean.
St
eff
i:Nextt
imey
ouwi
l
ljoi
nmer
ight
? 
Me: Nope,
youshoul
dgety
ourownbat
h
becauseIshower
 
Stef
fi
:Daddysay
sshower
sar
enotgoodf
orme
andIwil
lfal
l
.
Me:
cor
rect
Shekeptqui
etl
i
keshewast
hinki
ngabout
somethi
ng.
Stef
fi
:Mmm okay
,youwi
l
lcar
rymei
nthe
shower
Me:
Nextt
imebaby
.
Shel
ookeddownlikeshewantedt
ocr
yandshe
di
dcry.Tear
sfel
lfr
om herey
es.
Me:
What
swr
ongnow?
 
Stef
fi
:Not
hing,
I’
m goodnowIneedt
oget
somerest
. 
Idri
edherbodyandpickedherup.Shej
ust
cri
ed,morel
ikesobbed.Myheartj
ustbr
oke.
 
Me:
What
swr
ong?
 
St
eff
i:Youdon’
twantme.Noonewant
sme.
Ev
enAuntLaurasai
dso. 
Me:
Whoi
sauntLaur
a? 
St
eff
i:I
t’
sdad’
sgi
rl
fr
iend,
she’
sal
somyt
eacher
.
Me:Howdoy
ouknowt
hatshedoesn’
twant
you?
St
eff
i:Shet
oldmesoandsheev
ensai
dthat
whensheanddaddygetmarr
iedshewi
l
lsend
meawayandIwillnev
erseedaddy.
Me:
Hav
eyout
olddaddyaboutt
his?
 
Steff
i:No,
Idon’
twantt
ogeti
ntot
roubl
e.She
saidshewill
spankme.
Ij
ustclosedmyeyesandhel dhertome.Poor
babyjustl
eti
tall
out.Shecr iedherl
itt
lelungs
out.MrEvanscamer ushingtoherroom and
tr
iedtaki
ngherbutsher efused.Helookeds
confused.
 
MrE:
Whathappened?Whatdi
dyoudot
oher
? 
Hewasshouting.Ij
ustlookedatthei
diotand
cont
inuedwit
hSt ef
fi
.Het r
iedt
alki
ngtoherbut
shedidn’
twanttoli
stentohim.Imanagedt o
cal
m herdown. 
Me:
“Youf
eel
i
nganybet
ter
?”shenodded.
 
Me:
“Ican’
theary
oubeaut
if
ul”shegi
ggl
ed.
 
St
eff
i:“YesIam bet
terandIam hungr
y” 
Me:“Tel
lyouwhat
?Letdaddycar
ryy
out
o
di
nner
”sheshookherhead.
Me:“Comeon.Yougonnamakedaddysad,
youwanthi
mtonesad?” 
Stef
fi
:“Sor
rydaddy,
Idi
dn’
tmeanto.Takeme”
sheli
ft
edupherarmstobepi
ckedup
Wewal
keddownst
air
sandhaddi
nner
. 
St
eff
i:“Si
sAphi
we,
thi
sfoodi
sdel
i
cious.
”
Me:
“Youl
i
kev
egi
es?
” 
St
eff
i:“Yuks”shemadeaf aceandIlaughed.I
l
ookedatherfatherwhoseemedpissed. 
Icl
ear
edthetabl
ewhil
etheywat
chedtv.I
twas
ti
meforbedwhenStef
fist
art
edcry
ing.
 
Me:
“Sweet
iewhati
swr
ong,
” 
St
eff
i:“Iwantt
osl
eepwi
thy
ou”
 
Me:“Butbabyy
oucan’
t.Daddyboughty
oua
bed”
 
St
eff
i:“Iwantt
osl
eepwi
thy
ou.Iwanty
ou!
” 
Shecriedroll
ingonthecarpetupunti
lIgothol
d
ofherandst art
edrocki
nghert osl
eep.Shefel
l
asl
eepi nmyar msandIt ookhertomy
bedroom withMrEv ansonmyt ail
.It
uckedher
i
nandhesi gnal
ledtogooutside.
 
MrE:
“Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoupl
ayi
ngat
?” 
Me:
“Excuseme?
” 
MrE:“Youar
etur
ningmydaught
eragai
nst
me” 
Me:
“andhowam Idoi
ngt
hat
?” 
MrE:“Shedoesn’twantt
obewi
thme.Ihav
e
nochoi
cebuttoletyougo” 
Ij
ustchuckl
edshaki
ngmyhead.
 
Me: “Fir
stofallSt
ephaniehadabaddaywi t
h
herteachertoday,yourgi
rlf
riendandshewas
terri
fi
ed.Ical
medherdownbutshewast oo
freakedoutaboutyoubeingt akenawayfrom
her.Lastl
y,Iwil
lnotbegyouf orajob.I
’
llbe
gonef i
rstthi
nginthemor ning.”
It
urnedt
oleav
ebuthest
oppedme.
MrE:
“Whatdoy
oumeant
hatshei
ster
ri
fi
ed?
” 
Me:“She’
syourdaught
er.Letmegosl
eep.I
hav
eanearlyt
axitocat
ch” 
Iopenedt
hedoorandsl
ammedi
tshut
.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t5
.
 
Aphi
we
.
 
WhenMrEv ansleftiwentbacktomyroom and
foundSteff
isleeping.Poorgir
lwashol
dingon
toherteddy.Iwalkedov ert
othebedandmy
phonerang.Itwasmygr andma. 
Me:
“Gogo?
” 
Gr
andma:
“Unj
ani
sisi
(Howar
eyou?
)” 
Me:“Ngy
aphi
l
agogowenaunj
ani
?(I
’
m good
gr
anhowareyou?
)” 
Grandma:“si
yancengangany
ami
(wear
e
copingmychi
ld)
Grandma: “Uzi
phet
hekahlekodwa?
Ngyathembaawudelel
ilapho(Ihopeyouar
e
behaving.Youcanbeveryrudesomet
imes”
 
Me:
“Mi nagogo?Avengi
zi
phethekahl
e(Who
megrandma,iam v
erywel
lbehaved”
 
Grandmajutl
aughed.Shekeptqui
etaft
ersome
t
ime.Iknewseri
oustalkwascoming. 
Grandma:“Sengit
hembelekuwemanganey
ami
.
(Youaremyonl yhopenowmychi l
d)
ungangi
phoxi(don’tdi
sappoi
ntme)”
 
Me:“Ngyazigogo.Ngekengi
kudumaze(i
knowgrandma.Iwon’tl
etyoudown)
” 
Grandma:
“Phumulakesisi
.Sokhulumakusasa
(Getsomerestwewi
llt
alktomorrow)”
Me:
“Goodni
ghtgogo”
 
Gr
andma:
“Goodni
ghtbaby
” 
Ihungupt hephoneandwenttochanget
omy
veryshortpjs.I
twassummersoitwassuper
hotatnight.Iwentov
ertot
hebedandcuddled
Steff
.Il
ookedatt het
imeandi
twasn’tev
en
21h00y et.
 
Idon’
tevengot
osleepatthatt
imesoi gotout
ofbedandwentdownstai
rstogetsomewat er
.
IwasmetbyMrEv ansandthi
slovel
ylady.
 
MrEv
ans:
“Aphi
we,
you’
rest
il
lup?
” 
Me:“Yep,
justcamet
ogetsomewat
er.
Goodni
ght
” 
Iquicklyr
ushedtothekit
chen.Idrankmywat er
andwentbackt omyr oom onl
yt obemetbyMr
Evansandt hewomanal lov
ereachot her.Ij
ust
walkedpastthem.Igotinbedandwat chedtv.
Yep, i
hadmyownt vandbat hroom. 
Imusthav
edozedof
fbecauseiwaswokenby
MrEvanstel
l
ingmet
ogetunderthecov
ers.He
keptl
ookingatmeandi lookedatmybodyonly
tofi
ndthatihadtakenoffthegownandwasin
mycroptoppy j
amat opandv eryshor
tbut
t
showingbott
om.Ihadabel lyri
ngonmyf l
at
stomachandat at
tooonmyhi pbone.
 
Me:
“Ohsor
ryi
fel
lasl
eepwi
tht
het
von.
” 
MrEv
ans:
“It
’ser
mit
’sokay
” 
Helookedatmeonemoreti
meandwalkedout
.
Il
etoutabreat
hidi
dn’
tknowiwashol
ding.
 
Igotout
,swi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
sandt
vandi
sl
ept.
.
.
Iwokeupthenextmor
ningfeel
i
ngr ef
reshed.
Stef
fiwaswi
deawakejustl
ookingatme.
Me:
“Mor
ningsweet
ie”
 
St
eff
i:“Mor
ningsi
sAphi
we.
” 
Me:
“Yousl
eptokay
?” 
St
eff
i:“Yesi
did.Howdi
dyou.
..
” 
Ipul
l
edhertomeandstar
tedti
ckl
i
ngher
.She
l
aughedunt
ilshehadt
ear
s. 
Me:
“Ol
ay,
comel
et’
sgety
our
eady
.”
Shej umpedfrom thebedandracedoutofthe
room.Thatgav emet i
met oti
dymyroom and
freshenup.Ipull
edonmygownandwentt o
Steffi
’sr
oom.Shewascr y
ingandshewouldn’
t
stop. 
Me:
“Honey
,whathappened?
” 
St
eff
i:“Hei
sgoi
ngt
osendmeaway
.Hehat
es
me” 
Iwant edtoanswerbutijustpull
edherinmy
arms.It r
iedcal
mingherdownbutshej ust
cri
edl ouder.MrEv
ansappear edwi t
hthe
womant hathewaswithlastnight.Shehad
onlyaashi r
ton,hi
sshir
t.Hecameandheknel t
i
nf rontofus. 
MrEv
ans:
“St
effbaby
,whathappened?
” 
Shekeptshaki
ngherheadthatwashi
ddenon
myneck.Het r
iedget
ti
nghertotal
kbutshejust
cr
ied.MrEvansjustt
urnedandl
ookedatthe
l
ady. 
MrEvans:
“Ithinki
twi
l
lbebet
teri
fyoul
eav
e
Laur
abeca..
.”
 
Laur
a:“Butl
astni
ght
..
.”
 
MrEv
ans:
“Wasami
stake”
 
Laura:
“Iseewhat
’shappeni
ng.Youfi
lt
hybit
ch
tur
nedmymanagai nstme.Thi
sisn’
tovery
ou
l
itt
lebrat
.Iwi
l
lseeyouinschool
.”.
Shehurr
iedoutoft
her
oom wi
thMrEv
anson
hert
ail
. 
Me:“Steff
.She’
sgonehoney
.Tel
lmewhat
happened?”
 
Steff
:“Shecamehereandtoldmet hatshewil
l
neverbewit
houtdaddyandifisayanythi
ngshe
will
kil
lme” 
MrEv
ans:
“St
opl
yi
ngSt
ephany
” 
St
eff
:“Daddyi
am notl
yi
ng”
 
Hekeptshout
ingandshewascry
ing.Ihadt
o
pul
lMrEvansoutofther
oom. 
MrEvans:“Thati
smyfucki
ndaught
er.Iwi
l
l
deal
withherthewayi
seefi
t” 
Me: “Andthati
sabsol
utelyr
ightbutbef
ore
accusingherofl
yi
ngcouldyoupleasecheck
thenannycam andseeifshereal
lyisl
yi
ng?” 
Hisfacechangedhelookeddisappoi
ntedand
guil
ty.Hejustwal
kedaway .Iwal
kedbackto
Stef
fi’
sroom andsherushedtome.  
Me:
“it
’sokaybaby
.It
’sgonnabeal
ri
ght
”
Irubbedherbackthi
nki
ng“Whatt
hehel
lhav
ei
gottenmysel
fint
o?”
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t4
Thoba

Ifel
tli
keajerkassoonassheclosedthedoor
butwhydoesshehav etoberude?Andnowmy
daughterwon’tl
etgoofher
.Iwalkedt
omy
bedroom andcall
edmysist
er.
Amy
:“Br
o” 
Me:wheredi
dyouf
indt
hisgi
rl
?Sheisrudeas
hel
landnowmydaught
erdoesn’
twantme.
Amy
:whathappened?
Itol
dherwhathappenedupt
ohersl
ammi ng
thedooronmyfaceandAmyjustl
aughed.
Amy
:Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?
Me:
Becauseshei
stur
ningmydaught
eragai
nst
me.
 
Amy:ForaDoctoryouar
ereal
lystupid.When
wast
hel astt
imeyouwentoutforicecream
wi
thSteff?
 
Me:
Ermithasbeenawhi
l
e.Can’
tev
en
r
emember.
 
Amy
:Why
? 
Me:
Idon’
tknowi
hav
ebeenbusyand.
..
Amy :No.It
’sbecauseyouhav
ebeenfucking
herteachersomucht haty
oufor
gotabouther.
Poorchildfoundsomeonewhoactual
lycares
abouthowshef eels.
Me:
Buti
car
eaboutmydaught
er.Il
oveher
. 
Amy :Thatiscorr
ectbuty ouhaven’tbeen
makingtimef orher.Inot
icedthatsheiseven
l
osingabi tofweight.Sheisababy !Damny ou
Thoba.
Me:
Idi
dn’
treal
i
ze.
Amy :
Yeahyoucouldn’
thav
e.Youhav
ebeen
chasi
ngpussyi
nsteadofmaki
ngti
mef orSt
eff
. 
Me:
Iwi
l
lmakei
tupt
oher
,ipr
omi
se.
Amy
:Justgot
oAphi
weandaskherwhati
s
bot
her
ingy
ourdaught
er.
 
Me:
Okay
;iwi
l
l.
Amy
:andal
soapol
ogi
zef
ort
hreat
ingt
ofi
reher
.
Me:
Iwi
l
ltr
yand.
 
Amy:Don’
ttr
y.Justdoi
t.Iwantt
oseemyni
ece
smi
l
eof t
en.
Me:
Okay
. 
Iendedthecallandsetont hebed, t
hinki
ngof
anapproachonhowt otalktoAphiwe.Istood
upandwentt oherdoor .Iknockedandwai t
ed
forhertoopenup.Sheopenedanddamnshei s
beauti
ful
.Icannev ergetenoughofhow
beauti
fulsheis.It
hinkiwasdr ool
ingbecause
sheclearedherthr
oat. 
Me:
Erm sor
rybutcanwet
alk?
 
Aphi
we:
Now?
 
Me:Yes,i
t’simpor
tant
.Wecant
alkov
ercof
fee
downstai
rs. 
Aphiwe:Giv
eme5mi
nut
es.Yourdaught
eri
sa
bi
trestl
ess.
 
Me:
Okay
.Cof
fee?
 
Aphi
we:
Tea.1t
easpoonofsugar
.Nomi
l
k. 
Inoddedandheadeddownstai
rsl
etti
ngout
deepbreat
hs.Aphiwei
sbeauti
ful
it’
salmost
fr
eaky.Shedoeslookl
i
kesomeonet hati
know. 
Igottothekitchenandcheckedf orsomelef
t
overgood.Hermeal wasf
antasti
candi wanted
toeatagain.Iheatedthef
oodf ormeandgot
hersomecakes.  
10mi nut
eslatersheappearedinherwhi t
evest
andjeankneel engt
hshortswithsocks.She
l
ookedbr eat
ht aki
ng.It
hinkthatevenifshe
weretowearasackshewoul dmaket hatsack
l
ookamazi ng
Me:
Pleasesi
t.
 
Shesatdownandi
gav
ehert
het
eaand
cupcakes.Shej
ustl
ookedatmeast
houghi
am
crazy
Me:iwoul
dli
ketoapol
ogi
zeformybehav
iour
ear
li
erandt
hreat
eni
ngyourj
ob.
Aphi
we:
Okay
. 
Shedr ankherteaandl ookedatme.Hereyes
pi
ercinginmyski n.Herey eswer
edart
ingall
overme.I twasasi fshewasscaredor
nervous. 
Me:Pl
easetell
mewhatyoumeantwheny
ou
sai
dStef
fister
rif
ied?
Aphiwe:Iam goi
ngtoaskyouaquest
ion,don’
t
takeoff
ense.Justt
ryi
ngtogett
othebott
om if
thi
sokay? 
Me:
Okay
. 
Aphi
we:Doy ouhav
ear
elat
ionshi
pwi
thoneof
hert
eacher
s?
Me:
Yes,
ital
ktoal
loft
hem.I
..
..
Aphi
we:
Ani
nti
mat
erel
ati
onshi
p. 
Igulpedmycoff
eesoqui
ckt
hati
bur
ntmy
tongueandt
hroat.
 
Me:
Whydoy
ouaskt
hat
? 
Aphi
we:
Whoi
sLaur
a? 
Myey eswidenedinshockandAphiwel
ooked
rel
axedasev er
.Shewaseatinghermuf
fi
nand
havi
nghert ea,
waiti
ngformetosay
something.
 
Me:
Laur
aisSt
eff
i’
steacher
. 
Aphi
we:
That
’sal
l
? 
Me:
That
’sal
l
.
Shechuckl
edandwentt
othesi
nkt
ori
nseher
thi
ngs.
Aphiwe:Iwon’tbeabl
etohel
pyouwi t
hy our
daughteri
fyou’r
enotbei
nghonest.I
’
llbeoutif
yourhousefi
rstthi
ngint
hemorning.
Me:
okayokay
.Pl
easedon’
tgo.Iwi
l
ltel
lyou.
Justpl
easesi
t.
Shelookedatmewit
har
aisedey
ebr
owand
wenttositdown.
Me:Lauraandiar
efool
i
ngaround.Wesl
eep
t
ogetherever
ynowandthen.
Aphi
we:
Ohokay
. 
Me:
Whyar
eyouaski
ngmeaboutLaur
a? 
Aphiwe: Shetoldyourdaughterthatyouandher
aregoingt ogetmar r
iedandSt ef
fii
sgoingto
beshippedt oboar di
ngschool.Shealsosai
d
thatSteffwillnev
erseey ouagainandshewill
nevervisithermom’ sgrave.Imeanwhosay s
thattoaki d? 
Me:
Ier
midi
dn’
tknow.
 
Aphiwe:
Yeswel
lnowyouknow.Ihav
etogoto
bed.Imeani
haveafewhour
sleftwi
thSt
eff
i.
Me:Imadeamistake.Pl
easedon’
tgo.Iwi
l
l
sor
toutt
heLauraissue.
Iwasfumi
ngwithangerbutidi
dn’twant
Aphi
wetoseethat
.Shejustkeptquietand
l
ookedatme.
Me:
Pleasesaysomet
hing?
 
Aphiwe:Iwi
ll
stay.Notbecauseofy
oubut
becauseofStef
fiandineedthemoneybutnext
ti
mei wil
lgoforreal
. 
Me:Thankyou.Iam goi
ngt
ogooutf
orawhi
l
e.
Don’
twaitup.
 
Aphi
we:
Yeahwel
l
,i’
m noty
ourgi
rl
fr
iend.
 
Shemumbl edthatpar
tiactual
lychuckl
ed.I
tookmycarkey sandwall
et.Iwasgoingto
Laura’shouse.Shewasplayingwithfi
resayi
ng
shitl
ikethattomydaughter.Ihadtosorther
out.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t7
.
Aphi
we
.
Iam gladMrEv anssortedthi
ngsoutwit
hhis
daughter.Iam al
sogladthatsheisgoi
ngto
stayathomewi t
hmet akingcar
eofher.
 
MrEvanshadlef
tfortheday,
leavi
ngmet o
cl
eanandcookforSteff
.Iwaswashingthe
di
shesaft
erl
unchwhent hebuzzerri
ng.I
answer
edwithStef
fionmyhip. 
Me:
“Yes?
” 
Per
son:
“It
’sMf
undo.Openup”
 
Me:“Mfundo.
..
?”i
wantedhi
mtot
ell
mewho
wasandwhathewanted.
 
Mf
undo:“Couldy
ouopenupandst
opaski
ng
mequest
ions?
” 
Me:“Iam sor
rybutMrEvanstol
dmenot
hing
abouty
ouandopeningforyou.
” 
Mf
undo:
“Whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
” 
Me:
“Thehousekeepersi
r”
 
Mf
undo:
“Iam hi
sbr
othery
oumai
d.Openup”
 
Me:
“Okay
.Letmecal
lhi
m” 
Isil
encedhim bef
orehecoul
dbeanymor
erude.
IlookedforMrEvansnumberont
he
refr
iger
atorandical
ledhi
m. 
MrE:
“ThobaHel
l
o” 
Me:
“MrEv
ansi
t’
sAphi
we”
 
MrE:
“Aphi
we,
isSt
eff
ial
ri
ght
?” 
Me:
“Yessi
r.She’
sper
fect
.I.
..
” 
MrE:
“Pl
easecal
lmeThoba”
 
Me:
“Why
?” 
MrE:“MrEvansandsi
rismyf
ather
.Thobai
s
j
ustf
ine.
” 
Me:
“OkaybhutThoba.Ther
eisaMrMf
undoat
t
hegat
e.Hewantsmet oopenup.
” 
Thoba:“Ohhe’
smyannoy
ingl
i
ttl
ebr
other
,let
hi
mi n.
”
Me:
“Okaybhut
i”
 
Thoba:
“It
’sThoba”
 
Me:
“Thoba”
 
Thoba:
“Okaygood.Don’
tlethi
m bul
l
yyou”
 
Me:“Don’tworr
y.Icanhandl
eannoy
ing
peopl
e.”Hechuckl
ed.
Me:
“By
e.Seey
oul
ater
” 
Thoba:
“Lat
ermi
ss”
 
Ipl
acedthephoneonthecounterandwentto
openthegat
e.Iwentt
othekitchenwit
hav er
y
qui
etStef
fi
. 
Me:
“honeyar
eyouokay
?” 
Stef
f:“I
’m per
fect
.Justl
i
kewatchingyoutal
k
andili
keyoucarryi
ngme”ij
ustlaughed.
 
Minut
eslatert
hedooropenedandt
hisMf
undo
guyenter
ed. 
.
.
Mf
undo:“Itwoul
dhavebeenni
ceofy
outotel
l
methaty
ouareopeni
ngthegat
eyouknow.
”
Me:“Iapologize”mybackwasf acinghi
m.I
wasjustf
inishingmychores.Ihaventev
en
seenwhathel ooksl
ike.
 
Mf
undo:
“Iam t
alki
ngpl
easet
urnar
ound”
 
Iturnedaroundandhej
awdr opped.Heopened
andcl osedhi
smouthcountl
esstimesij
ust
turnedaroundandwentbacktowhatiwas
doing. 
Mfundo:
“Youar ef
ucki
nbeaut
if
ul”i
qui
ckl
y
t
urnedaround.
 
Me:
“LanguageMrEv
ans.Language”
 
Mfundo:“Sorr
yi j
ust
..
..
”Fuuuuuuuckhe
whisper
edthat.Iwasverymuchirr
it
ated.
 
Me:
“Excuseme.Ther
eisachi
l
dar
oundso
pl
easet
rynotswear
.”
 
St
eff
i:“Uncl
eMf
undo”
 
Mfundo:“Heybabygi
rl
.Comehere.”Stef
fiwent
downandr ant
ohim.Theydi
sappearedtothe
l
ounge. 
Imadet hem snacksandsomejui
ce.It
ookitto
them andtheywer ewat
chi
ngSofi
athefir
st.
Stef
fiwasengr ossedt
othetvwhi
leMfundo
wasst ar
ingatme.  
Mfundo:
“er
mt hanks”inoddedandheaded
backtot
heki
tchentonstartondi
nner
. 
Iwasjustchoppingthev
egi
eswheni
fel
ta
handonmywai st.
 
Me:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
” 
Mfundo:“Comeon.Iknowy
ouwanti
tasmuch
asido” 
Me:“Hel
lno.
”Imovedawayandwentt
othe
ot
hersi
deift
hetabl
e.Hef
oll
owedme. 
Me:
“Youar
emaki
ngmeuncomf
ort
abl
e.”
 
Mf
undo:
“Comeon.Justoneki
ss“
 
Imovedt
otheloungeandpull
edsteff
i t
omy
l
ap.WewatchedthetvwithMfundostari
ngat
methewholeaf
ternoon.
 
Iheardacarpullupandmomentsl
aterThoba
walkedin.Iqui
ckl
ystoodupandwenttothe
ki
tchen.Hef ol
l
owedme.  
Thoba:
“Whathappened?
” 
Me:
“Not
hing.Ier
mm.Er
mm.
..
” 
Thoba:“Youar
eshaki
ng.What
’swrong?”he
hel
dmyhands.Mfundoappear
edinthe
ki
tchen.
 
Mfundo:“Youshouldhavetol
dmet hatyouar
e
sl
eepingwit
hmybr other
.Iwouldnothav
e
madeamov eonyou” 
Thoba:
“Youwhat
??”
 
Mf
undo:
“It
ri
edmyl
uckbutmi
ssher
ejustr
an
awayand..
.”Thobapunchedhi
m bef
orehe
coul
dfi
nish. 
Welll
etmedescri
beMfunditoyou.Helooks
l
ikeheisinhi
searl
y20s.Tal
lwit
hbroad
shoul
dersandwonder
fulbodyst
ructur
ebutnot
onThoba’sl
evel
.
 
Theyarecolor
edsov er
ymuchy el
lowbones.
Whiteboneseven.SowhenThobapunchedhi m
hehadbloodimmedi at
ely
.Her oughlygr
abbed
hi
m byhistshi
rtandthrewhim out.Hecame
backtome.Iwasj ustf
rozentherenotknowing
whattodo.Thobacamecl oser.
 
Thoba:
“Di
dhet
ouchy
ou?
” 
Me:
“Nohe.
.”
 
Thoba:
“DI
DHETOUCHYOU?
??”
 
Me:“No.Nohedi
dn’
t.Justmywai
standi
ran
t
othe.
..
” 
Hepull
edmei nhi
sar
mshol
dingmet
ight
ly
apol
ogi
sing.
 
WHATTHEHELLI
SITWI
THTHI
SFAMI
LY?
??
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t6
.
 
Thoba
.
 
Canibehonestandsayt
hatiam l
osi
ngmy
mind?Yep,
iam losi
ngi
tandAphiweseesi
ttoo.
Ihavenev eri
nmyl i
fedoubtedmybabygi rl
but
nowi am acti
ngli
keanass.Thesi ghtof
Aphiwedr i
vesmecr azy.Thereasonwhyi
broughtLauraoverwasbecauseofAphi we.I
wantedtof or
getaboutherbutallitdidwas
thi
nkabouthermor e.Especial
lyafterisawher
i
nherbar elyt
herepyjamas. 
Iam notbl
ami
ngany
onebutmysel
f.Aphi
weis
real
l
ygoodwit
hmydaught
erandij
usthadto
behave.Iwalkedt
omybedroom af
tert
hat
confr
ontati
oninStef
fi
’sr
oom.Laur
awassitt
ing
onthebed,naked.
 
Idi
dn’
tsl
eepwi
thherl
astni
ght
,it
ri
edbutal
li
coul
dseewascr
eamyAphiwe.
 
Me:
“Leav
e.”
 
Laura:
“Thoba,
iam notl
eav
ingy
ouwi
tht
hat
bi
tch” 
Me:“That
’st
het hi
ng.Youcallmymaidabi
tch
andmydaughterabrat.Pl
easeleav
e” 
Laura:“Idi
dn’
tmeantocal
lSt
eff
ithat
.It
’sj
ust
thatshecanbeababysometi
mesand...
” 
Me:“Arey
oul
ist
eni
ngt
oyour
sel
f?St
ephaneyi
s
ababy,
mybaby”
 
Laur
a:“Ohpl
easeThoba.St
opt
hisnonsense
and.
..
” 
.
.
Imar
chedt
oherandgr
abbedherbyherar
m.
Me:
“Getdr
essed.
” 
Laur
a:“OuchYouar
ehur
ti
ngme”
 
Me:“Getdr
essedandgett
hef
uckoutofmy
house”
 
Iwat chedhergett
ingdressedslowly,
ifiwasn’t
pissedi wouldhavebeenturnedonbuti was
verymuchangr y.Shetookhertimeget t
ing
dressed.Whenshewasdonei yankedherarm
andl edherdownstair
s.Ihadalreadycall
edthe
Urberf orher
.Ipushedheroutthedoorbef or
ei
couldcl osei
tshepusheditwithherhand. 
Laur
a:“Youaregoingtoregr
etthi
s.Iam goi
ng
tomakeStephaney
’sli
fehell
.Tr
ustme” 
Me:
“Iwoul
dli
ket
oseey
out
ry”
 
Isl
ammedt
hedoorbef
oreshecoul
drepl
y.
Damny ouAphiwe.Tur
nedmeonsobadl yt hati
endedupdoingstupi
dt hi
ngs.Isur
eashell
wasn’
tgoingtofi
reher.Iwasjustgoi
ngtohave
t
ocont
rol
mysel
f.
 
Ihavehadalotofnanni
esandnoneofthe
connect
edtomydaughterl
ikeAphi
we. 
Iwenttothekitchenandst art
edonbr eakfast
.I
wantedtomakemydaught er’
sf avour
itesjust
toapol
ogize.Iwasal mostf i
nishedwheni
heardt
hecomedownt hestai
rs,Steff
i’
sv oice
ful
lofj
oyandl aughter.Itf
eltsogood.That
mademehappy .
 
Assoonasshesawmeshet ookhol
dof
Aphi
we’shandandhi
dbehi
ndher.Thatpi
erced
myheart.
Me:
“Baby
,comehav
ebr
eakf
ast
” 
Sheshookherheadhi
dingbehi
ndAphi
we.
 
Me:
“Why
?” 
Stef
fi
:“Becauseyouhat
emeandy
ouwantt
o
sendmeaway ” 
Me:
“Comeher ehoney”shestoodt
herenot
movi
ng.Aphi
weturnedaroundandkneel
edi
n
f
rontofher
.
Aphiwe:“Gotodaddybaby
.Hehassomet
hing
tosay.Pl
easeli
stent
odaddy.
” 
St
eff
i:“Butdaddy
..
.”
 
Aphi
we:
“Nobaby
,rememberwhati
sai
d?”
 
Stef
fi
: “Yousai
dgoodgi
rl
sli
stent
othei
r
daddies.
” 
Aphi
we:
“Goodnowgot
odaddyandl
i
stent
o
hi
m” 
Shenoddedwipinghertears.Shewalkedslowl
y
tomeandi hat
edmy selfeveryminutefort
hat.
Shecameandst oodinfrontofmel ooki
ng
downthefl
oor.Iknel
tinfrontofherandmade
herl
ookatme.
.
.
Me:“Daddyi
ssorr
y.Laur
awi
l
lnev
erhur
tyou
agai
n.Shei
sgone”
 
St
eff
i:“Buti
wil
lseeheratschool
” 
Me: “Youwon’
tgot
oschool
anymor
e.Youwi
l
l
stayherewi
thSi
sAphi
we.Woul
dyouli
ke
that?”
 
Stef
fi
:“Real
l
ydaddy
?”sheaskedjumpi
ngup
anddown.Aphi
weandilaughed.
 
Aphi
we:“Ifidi
dn’
tknowanybet
teri
woul
dsay
youdon’
tli
keschool
.”
 
St
eff
i:“Il
oveschool
.It
’sLaur
athat
..
.”
 
Me:“Iam sosorr
ybaby
.Pleasefor
giv
eme.I
di
dn’
tmeant ohurty
ouli
kethat
” 
St
eff
i:“
It
’sokaydaddy
.Pi
ckmeup”
 
Ipickedherupandkissedhercheek.Il
ead
them tothedi
ningt
able. 
Me:
“Imadebr
eakf
ast
.Yourf
avor
it
es”
 
St
eff
i:“Whati
syourf
avour
it
esi
sAphi
we?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Il
i
kef
rui
tsandl
otsofv
eggi
es”
 
St
eff
i:“onl
y?”
 
Aphi
we:
“Yes.
” 
Me:
“Why
?” 
Shel
ookedatmeandqui ckl
ylookedaway
.
Damnitshe’
sbeaut
if
ul.
 
Aphi
we:
“Inev
ergotusedt
oeat
ingmeat
.”
 
Me:
“Why
?” 
Aphiwe:
“Mygr
andmot
her
,wecoul
dn’
taf
for
d
i
t” 
Me:
“buty
oucookedal
ovel
ymeal
lastni
ght
.”
 
Aphi
we:
“Thati
sbecausei
lov
ecooki
ng”
 
Inoddedandwecontinuedeati
ng.Aphi
we
cl
earedthet
ablewhenwewer edoneandshe
al
sowashedthedished.Giv
ingmet i
mewit
h
mydaughter
. 
Iwaspl
anni
ngongoingt
othehospit
alat14h00
soiwasgoi
ngtospendmymorningwit
hmy
baby
. 
St
eff
i:“daddy
” 
Me:
“Hmmm”
 
Stef
fi
:“Whenwil
lyoutakemetovi
sitmommy
?
Iwanttot
ell
heraboutSisAphi
we”
 
Me:
“Wewi
l
lgot
omor
row”
 
Shej
umpedupherf
acef
ull
ofexci
tement
. 
St
eff
i:“Real
l
ydaddy
?” 
Me:
“Yes.
”Ianswer
edl
aughi
ng.
 
Ist
ayedwithSt
eff
iunt
ilshef
ell
asl
eep.Iwent
toputhert
obed. 
Aphi
wewasbusysomewher eint
hehousesoi
wenttogetr eadyforwork.It
oolashower.
Wheni cameoutmycl otheswerel
aidoutin
bedincl
udingshoes, socksandbel
t.Icoul
dget
usedtothis.Igotdressedandheaded
downstair
s. 
Igottotheki
tchenandf oundAphi
wemaki ng
l
unch.Shewasbar efootweari
ngakneelength
cream dr
essthathuggedherinall
ther
ight
pl
aces. 
Ihadtogetoutoft
hehousesoi
wentt
ogetan
appl
eandquickl
yrushedout
.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t8
.
Aphi
we
.
 
Thobaheldmeforunt
ilf
orever
.Ipul
ledback
tel
l
inghimi’
m okay
.WeturnedtoSteff
icl
eari
ng
hervoi
ce.
 
St
eff
i:“Cani
hav
ewat
er?
” 
Imovedawayf
rom hi
sar
msandwentt
oget
St
eff
isomewater
. 
Me:
“letmef
ini
shcooki
ng.
” 
Thoba:
“No,pl
easeno.We’
l
lor
derr
ibsand
pi
zzafr
om Gat
eway” 
Stef
fi
:“Yeeey
”sheshoutedj
umpi
ngupand
down.Thobachuckl
ed.
 
Thoba:“Letmegoshowerandwe’
l
lhav
e
di
nner.
” 
Me:“Okay”i
sai
dlooki
ngdown.Hehel
dmy
chi
nmakingmelookathi
m.
Thoba:“We’
regonnatal
kaboutthi
slat
er”i
nodded.Hewentupst
air
sleav
ingmewi t
h
Stef
fi
. 
Me:
“Wantt
obat
hwi
thme?
” 
Stef
fi
: “
Yesyeahyesplease”wewentupstai
rs
toherbedroom.Wegotherpy jamasandgown.
Headedt omybedroom.Ifil
ledthet
ubputinaa
foam bathandwegotit.
 
.
.
St
eff
i:“Thewat
eri
sabi
twar
m” 
Me:
“Itwi
l
lhel
pyour
elax”
 
St
eff
:“Okay
” 
Wesiti
nt hewatert
alki
ngaboutcr
azystuff
.We
pl
ayedaroundwithwaterunt
ilt
hewaterunti
li
t
st
art
edget t
ingcol
d. 
Me:
“come.
.l
et’
sgoout
” 
St
eff
:“Okay
.Iam sl
eepy
.” 
Idr
ymy selfandgetouti
fthetubdrai
ningthe
water
.Iquickl
ytakeStef
fiandputherdown.
Shetouchesmysweet sandgiggl
es.Il
ight
ly
smackherhand. 
St
eff
:“Whyi
syoursweet
yli
kemi
ne?
” 
Me:
:
”Whatdoy
oumeanl
i
key
our
s?”
 
Stef
f:“Wel
lAuntAmyhashai
ronhersweet
s
andyoudon’
thavehai
r”
 
Me:“Ihadahai
rcut”shegi
ggl
eswi
thher
handsonhermout
h. 
St
eff
:“Sweet
yhasahai
rcutt
oo?
” 
Me:
“Yept
heydo,
come”
 
Ipickherupandweheadt ot
hebedr oom.Iget
herinherpy j
amasandputhert obedtosit
.I
quickl
yheadt othebat
hroom t
ot i
dyupandget
dressed.Icomeback20mi nuteslat
erandshe
i
sf astasl
eep. 
Iheaddownst
air
slooki
ngforThoba.If
indhi
m
onthephoneshout
ingatsomeone.
Thoba:“Andyouthoughtbestthathecomes
her
e,daysaft
ercomingout?” 
Per
son:
..
..
.
Thobo:“Doyouknowwhatt
hef
uckhedi
d?Do
youknow?” 
Cal
l
er:
“..
..
..
..
” 
Thoba:“Keephi mthef uckawayfr
om my
houseorelsei wi
llki
llhim”hehangsup
aft
erwards.Turnsaroundandthrowsthephone
myway .Iquickl
yduck
Heisbymysidei
nstantl
y,apol
ogi
zi
ngyetagai
n.
Iam l
ooki
ngathi
m withmyey eswi
deandheis
al
soshocked.
 
Thoba:
“Di
dihur
tyou?
”ishakemyhead.
 
Thoba:“Ar
eyouokay
?”i
nodandshakemy
head.
 
Thoba:“Damni
tAphi
weCami
l
laSi
shi
answer
me!” 
Me::I
’mf
ine.I
’
m ermi’m goi
ngtobed”igetout
ofhi
shol
dandquickl
yrushupthestai
rs.
 
.
.
Igott
omyr
oom andcal
kmygr
andmot
her
. 
Gr
andma:
“Heybaby
” 
Me:
“HeyGogo.Howar
eyou?
” 
Gr
andma:
“I’
m okay
.Howar
eyou?
” 
Me::
”Gogocani
comebackhome?Ican’
tso
t
hisi
...
”
Thobasnat
chesmyphonef
rom behi
nd.
 
Thoba:“Sorr
yaboutt
hatmam.Shewi
l
lcal
lyou
backlat
er.
”Hehangsupandthr
owsmyphone
ontopofthebed.
 
Het akeshol
dofmyhandandwewal koutof
theroom.Wegettohisstudy
,leav
ingthedoor
opened.Hemakesmesi tonacouchwhi l
ehe
sit
sont opofthet
abl
e. 
Hel
ooksabsol
utel
ydel
i
cious.
 
Thoba:
“Iam sor
ryaboutear
li
er.Il
ostmycool
andyoual
mostgothurt”
 
Me:
“Whathappened?
” 
Thoba:“
Thi
ngsgotoutofhandbuti
t’
ssor
ted
now” 
Inod.Iam j
uthi
redhel
psoi
won’
tasksomany
questi
ons.
 
Wesitthei
nsil
enceunt
ilwehearabuzzer
.He
at
tendstoi
tandiwalkoutt
othekit
chentoget
water
. 
Myhandsar
est
il
lshaki
ngi
near
lydr
opt
he
gl
asswhenhewal ksinwith2boxesofpizza
andalargeSpurpackage.Heputsi
tonthe
count
erandcomest ome.Het akeshol
dofmy
handsandspeaks.
Thoba:
“iam sorr
yi f
ri
ght
enedy
ouandnow
youwantt
oleave.Iam..
.”
 
Me:“GeeZ.I
t’
sokay.Iunder
stand.St
opsay
ing
sor
ry.
”Hesmilesandnods. 
Hedishesupforusandwetakethefoodtothe
l
ounge.Weeatandhedisposesoftheplat
es.
Hecomesbackandi yawn.Iwantbed.Wekept
somef oodf
orStef
fi
. 
Me:
“Ineedt
osl
eep”
 
Thoba:
“Met
oo”
 
Istandandgoupt hest
air
sassoonasi
reach
thelastonehespeaks.
 
Thoba:
“St
ayawayf
rom Mf
undo”
 
Me:
“Huh?
” 
Thoba:
“St
ayt
hef
uckawayf
rom hi
m” 
Hewalksawayangri
ly
.Seri
ously
?Fuckthi
sshi
t.
Iam goi
nghomefir
stthi
nginthemorni
ng.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t9
.
Thoba
.
Let’
sdot hisagain,Mynamei sThobaEv ans.I
am 25y earsold,ifi
nishedmat ri
cwheni was16
yearsoldandst udiedformydoct or’
sdegree.I
gotmar ri
edtomyl at
ewi fewheni was18y ear
s
old.Wehadabeaut i
fulbabygirlStephanybut
withthatcameal otofheartacheandpai n. 
Mydeceasedwifehadanaffai
rwit
hmybr other
Mf
undoandt heyevenmadev i
deoswhichlead
metohavingaDNAt estdoneonStef
fil
uckil
y
shet
urnedoutt
obemi
ne.
 
WhenAphiwecalledmet ell
i
ngmet hatMf undo
i
satmyhousei lostit
.Okaycani confess?
Aphi
wedr i
vesmecr azy.Iwanttotakehert o
bedandtakeheroverandov erandov eragain
sohear
ingaboutMf undomadememadt hati
l
eftwor
kandwenthomei mmediately.
 
Mf undowasadmi tt
edt oapsychi
atri
cward
becausehewentcr azywhenhef oundout
aboutSt ef
fiwhi
chledt oNi
cole’
sdeath.Iwas
dev ast
atedbecauseilostmybrother
.When
Nicolediedwewer einaprocessofadivorce.
 
ImadeStef
fibel
iev
ethatthi
ngsweregood
betweenmeandhermommyandt hatil
oved
herbuti
nactual
facti
hatedherwi
thapassion.
 
.
.
Dadtooki
thar
dwhenMfundowasadmitt
ed
wher
easmom sai
ditwasall
dad’
sfaul
t
becausehet
reat
edhimli
keaneggbut
thankf
ull
ymyparent
sdi
dnotresentme
becauseoft
hat.
 
Amandanev erwant
st otal
kabouthim because
hestabbedheronthesideifherst
omachand
shestayedi
nhospital
for2weeksbecauset he
kni
febrokei
nsideherbody. 
Iwentuptomybedroom af
terAphiwehad
gonetobed,
icoul
dhavehandledthingsbet
ter
.
Igoti
nbedandcall
edmymom.  
Mom:
“Hel
l
omyboy
” 
Me:
“Nonhl
e,howar
eyou?
” 
Mom: “Fucki
nchil
d,cal
li
nganelderbyt
hei
r
name.Whoi syourmotherboy
?” 
Aftershefi
nishedsayingthatwebot hburstout
l
aughing.Wel aughedforgood2mi nut
es.Dad
keptsayingwear ecrazyi
nt hebackground. 
Me:
“Howar
eyoumom?
” 
Mom:
“I’
m goodmyboyhowar
eyou?
” 
Me:
“Ei
shmom.Mf
undo.
..
” 
Mom:
“Whatabouthi
m?”
 
Me:“Hecamet
omyhouseandhar
assedmy
hel
per
” 
Mom:
“Wai
t.
..
Mfundoi
sback?
” 
Me:
“Di
dn’
tdadt
ell
you?
” 
Mom:“Nobutnowheknowst
hati
know.Iam
goi
ngt
oicehi
sball
s” 
“Youlovet
heseball
s”sai
ddadi
nthe
backgr
oundij
ustchuckl
ed. 
Mom:
“Shutupy
ouass.
”Shesai
dtodad.
 
Me:
“Mom”
 
Mom: “Ohsor
rybaby
,sowhatdi
dhedot
othe
poorgi
rl
?” 
Me:“Hetouchedhermom.Het
ouchedherand
shedi
dn’
twantto.”
 
Mom:
“Ohbaby
.It
’shappeni
ngal
lov
eragai
n” 
Me:
“Mom i
know.Idon’
tknowwhatt
odo.
” 
Mom: “Tel
lyouwhat
?Iwil
lcomet
omor
rowand
speaktoher
.Seei
fshe’
sokay”
Me:
“Iki
ndaact
edl
i
keaj
erk”
 
Mom:“Wenzenimnt
wanandi
ni?(
Whatdi
dyou
dobl
oodychi
ld)
” 
Me:“Iwasharsh,t
oldhert
ost
ayawayf
rom
Mfundo.Iwasreal
l
yharsh”
 
Mom:“Iam comingi
nthemor
ningi
diot
.Let
metal
ktoyourfat
her
” 
Me:
“Okaymom goodni
ght
” 
Mom:
“Goodni
ghtl
ove”
 
Weendedthecallandisatonthebedf orgood
20minut
esthinki
ngaboutAphiwe.Iwokeup
andwenttoherbedroom andknocked.Igotin
bef
oreshecouldanswer.Inear
lyfai
nted.
 
.
Shewasi
nav
eryshor
tgr
eybum shor
tanda
spor
tsbr
adoi
ngsi
tups.FuckmedearLor
d! 
Igothar
dri
ghtthatmoment
.Ist
oodt
her
e
fr
ozenandzonedout.
 
Shequi
ckl
ytookhergownandcoveredher
body
.Toolat
e,iwasalr
eadyhar
d. 
Itr
iedfocusi
ngonsomethi
ngelseei
thert
han
herbeauti
fulbodyandmyeyesl
andedonher
sui
tcases.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
” 
Aphi
we:“Iwasn’
tti
redany
mor
esoi
deci
dedt
o
workout
” 
Me:“Noi
meanwi
tht
hebags,
what
’sgoi
ng
on?
” 
Aphi
we:“Ohi
waser
m pl
anni
ngt
oleav
eint
he
morni
ng”
 
Me:
“Why
?”t
hatcameoutasawhi
sper
. 
Aphi
we:“If
eell
ikeiancausi
ngy
oupr
obl
ems
andmakeyouangry
.I.
..
” 
Me:“Ihaveav er
ysti
nki
ngt emperandyoudi
d
not
hingwrong.It
’sj
ustt
hatpeopleinmyli
fe
j
ustdeci
dedtoactup.Please,pl
easedon’
t
l
eave.St
effi
andi weneedy ou.Wereal
l
ydo.”
 
Aphi
we:
“Buti
hav
ebeenher
efor2day
sand.
.”
 
Me:“Shhh”i st
eppedclosertoherplacingmy
fi
ngeronhermout h.Shebreathedout,herhot
ai
rcaressingmyfinger
s.Ijustwentmor ecrazy
.
Iqui
cklytookastepback. 
Me:“From nowon.Nomor
edr
ama.Ipr
omi
se.
Justpl
easestay
.” 
Aphi
we:
“Okay
.Onemor
echance”
 
Me:
“Yes.Thanky
ou”
Aphi
we:
“Iam doi
ngi
tforSt
eff
i.
” 
Me:
“Yesi
know”
 
Aphi
we:
“Okay
”ther
ewasanawkwar
dsi
l
ence.
 
Me:
“Soer
m.Youwor
kout
?” 
Aphi
we:
“Yep.Mostoft
het
ime”
 
Me:
“okay
.Letmel
eav
eyout
oit
” 
Aphi
we:
“okay
.Goodni
ght
” 
Iwentoutandleanedagai
nstt
hedoorl
ett
ing
outadeepbreath.
 
Iam i
ndeepshi
t.
..
.
.

#NDALOYOMUSA’
str
apt
hisone.
 
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t11
.
.

Thoba
.

Iknowy ou’
reprobablyt
hinkingthati
am sneaky
andmeanf orwhati am doingtoAphiwebuti
j
ustthoughtthatishoul
dgett hemessage
acrosst
hati wanther.
YessheismyMaidbutsheishell
afineandi
wanttomakehermine.Isomehowfeelso
drawntohert
hati
wantt obearoundheral
lthe
ti
me. 
Aft
erthatepisodethati
hadwit
hherinthe
ki
tcheniquicklyr
anuptomybedroom and
str
ippednakedandheadedforashower,col
d
showerineededit. 
Seet hethingaboutAphiwei sthatsheissexy,
beaut i
fulandsmel l
sreal
lynice.Iwenttothe
showerandi wasr ockhard.Ihaven’
thadan
erecti
onl i
kethisinaloongt i
me.Iwantedand
neededherbuti wasgoingt otakemytimewi t
h
her.Ididn’twanttoscareherof f
.
Itookmycol dshowerwiththoughtsofher
fi
ll
ingmymi nd,howshelookswhenshe’ snot
dressedandhowshel ooksinbed.It’
scrazyi
knowbuti j
ustcouldn’
thelpmy sel
f.
Istayedi nt
heshowerf orabout30mi nutesand
theni wentout,igr
abbedat owelandwr apped
i
tar oundmywetbody .Ihadjuststar
teddryi
ng
wheni hadanidea.Iwentbyt hedoorand
call
edAphi we.2minuteslat
ersheappear edand
iaskedheri nmybedr oom.
Shelookedveryuncomfor
tableandher
breat
hingwasn’tst
eady
.Sheent er
edandstood
bythedoor.Iwenttost
andi nthemiddl
eofthe
room wit
hhandsonmywai st.
.
Me:“Sor
rytodist
urbyoufr
om whaty
ouwer
e
doi
ngbutineedyourhel
p?”
 
Aphi
we:
“O.
.kay
” 
Me:
“Wel
linor
mal
l
ydr
essi
nfor
mal
orsemi
f
ormal
.Si
ncewear
egoingt
ot heparki
would
l
i
keyoutohel
pmegetsomethingt
owear”
Aphi
we:
“Di
dyouseet
heweat
herout
side?
”
Me:
“Isi
tst
il
lrai
ning?
”
Aphi
we:
”Lookoutt
hewi
ndow”
 
Iwalkedtot
hewindowandi ndeeditwas
rai
ningcowsandelephant
s.ThisJanuar
yrai
n
rui
ningmyplans.
Me:“Ihav
ealr
eadypromi
sedSt
ephanyt
hatwe
ar
egoingtot
hepark.
” 
Aphi
we:“GototheFunFair
/Pl
acei
ngat
eway
orgopl
ayindoor
ssoccer
” 
Me:“Thatsoundsli
keapl
anbutwhyar
en’
tyou
i
ncl
udingyoursel
f?”
 
Aphi
we:“Meandrai
ndon’
tmix.Atal
l.Unl
ess
youwantt
odoct
ormeallweeklong”
 
Me:
“Icandoct
ory
ouany
time”
 
Aphi
we:
“rai
ncheck?Ist
il
lneedt
ocl
ean
St
eff
i’
scl
oset
”inodded.
Me:
“Okaynopr
obl
em”
 
Aphi
we:“Okaythanks.Letmeleaveyout
oit.
”
Shetur
nedaroundtoleave,
bef
oreshewalked
outi
call
edhernameandshet urned.
Me:“Justbereadytot
ell
hert
hatwewon’
tgo
outbecauseofyou”
 
Aphi
we:
“Huh?
” 
Me:
“Excuseme”
 
Aphi
we:
“Whyi
sitmyf
aul
t?”
 
Me:
“Becausey
oudon’
twannago”
Aphi
we:“I
t’
snotthatidon’
twantto.Ij
ustcan’
t.
Rai
nmakesmybodyi t
chandscratchunti
lmy
ski
npeel
soff.Youwantmet ot
ell
herthat?”
 
Me:“Ohi’
m sor
ry.Ishoul
dhaveaskedthe
r
easonbehi
ndyouandr ai
nnotmixing”
 
Aphiwe:“Yes,y
oushouldhave.Canibe
excused?”shel
ookedverypi
ssedthatherf
ace
t
urnedpi
nk.
Me:
“Er
myeahsur
e” 
.
Shewentout
,quiet
lyshut
ti
ngtodoor
.If
eltl
i
ke
punchi
ngmysel
f.Ipushedtoohar
d.
Iwenttotheclosetandsettl
edforsocks,
j
oggersandal ong-sl
eev
edwhi t
egreyt-shi
rt
.
Myphoner angwheni walkedoutanditwasmy
off
ice.
Me:
“YesNomzamo?
” 
Zamo:“Yessi
r.Ier
m wantedt
ofi
ndoutwhat
ti
meyou’r
ecomingtoday
?” 
Me:
“Itol
dyout
hati
t’
smydayof
fsoi
t’
syour
s
t
oo.
” 
Zamo:
“Oh,
isi
t?”shegi
ggl
ed.
Didimentiont
hatil
oveandenj
oysex?Yesi
l
ikefucki
ngwomensomucht hatifuckedmy
secr
etary
.Well,
ist
il
ldo.I
t’
snostr
ingsattached
butl
atel
yihavebeenget
ti
ngavi
bef
rom
Nomzamol i
keshewantsmor
eandicoul
dn’
t
gi
veherthat
. 
Me:
“YesNomzamo.Wi
l
lthatbeal
l
?” 
Zamo:
“YesDrEv
ans”
 
Me:
“Okay
,goodby
e”i
hungup.
 
Iwentoutmybedr oom andwalkeddownst
air
s.
If
oundSt ef
fiandAphiweinthelounge
watchi
ngcartoons.It
urnedandwenttothe
ki
tchentomakesomepopcor n.
 
Isatwit
hthem andweat epopcorn.Aphi
we’
s
phonerangandherey esl
itup.Shetookt
hecal
l
walki
ngoutofthelounge
Aphi
we:“Heybaby
”sheansweredandshe
l
aughedl
eavi
ngmepissedashell
. 
Whydi dn’tshet
ellmethatshehasaboy fr
iend.
Youknowwhat ,l
etmegoaskher .Il
ookedf or
herandf oundherint
hekitchenl
aughing.She
stoppedwhenshesawme.
Aphi
we:
“Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
..
..
il
ovey
out
oo”
 
Thatj
ustconf
irmedmysuspi ci
ons.Iwant
edto
expl
ode.Imeani onlymether3daysagobut
she’
salr
eadyturningmyli
feupsidedown.
.
Aphi
we:
“Thoba,
youwant
edsomet
hing?
” 
Me:
“Ohi
justwant
edt
omakemy
sel
fsome
t
ea.
”
Aphi
we:
“Ohokay
.Letmemakei
tfory
ou”
Me:“Ihaveabr
ainand2hands.Iwi
l
lmakemy
owntea” 
Aphi
we:
“Yesi knowthatandiam v
erymuch
awar
eofitbuti
t’
salsomy..
.”
 
Me: “Yeahwel
lgof
indsomet
hingel
set
odo
becauseiknowhowtomaketea”
 
Aphi
we:
“Buti
t’
smyj
obt
omakey
out
eaand.
..
” 
Me:
“Andasy ourbossiam t
ell
i
ngyout
oget
t
hefuckoutofmyfaceandletmemakemyt
ea.
Youknowwhat
?For
geti
t.I
’
mleav
ing”
 
Iwal
kedoutoft
heki
tchenandwentt
ochange.
Ical
l
edNomzamo.
Zamo:
“Yessi
r”
 
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyou?
” 
Zamo:
“Mypl
ace,
why
?” 
Me:
“I’
m comi
ngov
er.Wearsomet
hingni
i
ice”
 
Ihungupandwentout.IfoundAphiwesit
ti
ng
wit
hmydaughterwatchi
ngcar t
oons,shehad
thi
sblankl
ookonherface. 
Me:
“I’
m gongoutf
oraf
ewhour
s” 
St
eff
i:“Okaydaddy
”Aphi
wekeptqui
et.
Me:
“YouheadmeAphi
we?
” 
Aphi
we:
“YesMrEv
ans,
ihear
dyou”
 
Ij
ustknewthatmomentt
hati
hadr
uined
ev
erythi
ng.
..
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m
I
nser
t10
.
Aphi
we
.
Okaycanijustsayt
hatthisThobaguyisweird.
Oneminuteheishot,oneminuteheiscold.
Lastni
ghthecamei nt
omyr oom wheni was
worki
ngout.I’
m sur
ei comeacrossasvery
suspi
ci
ousasi waxandhav ebodyart
s. 
Wellmygrandmamanagedt oputmethrough
pr
ivat
eschoolseversincei was5yearsold.I
wasalwaysav er
ybr i
ghtkid.If
ir
stwentto
EmburyColl
ege(Wonder landbabycar
e)i t
hen
wentontotheCollegefrom age5tograde7. 
Iwasthenmov edtoOurLadyofFat ima
ConventSchoolf
rom gr
ade8t i
llgrade12.Ihad
al
way swantedtobeaDoctor.Idid2additi
onal
subj
ectswhichmademysubj ects9andi
passedthem al
lwit
hdist
inct
ionsbuti
didn’
t
evengetonebursar
y. 
MrsMay ,mygrade12teacherwassosur
ethat
iwasgoingtogetabursaryandwhenidi
dn’
t
getoneshecri
edsomucht hati
twasasi
fit
washerwhogotr ej
ect
ed.
Shethenwentasfarasaski
ngfr
om doort o
doorforpeopl
etohel
pmebutnol uck.Iended
uptel
linghert
ogiv
eupbecauseluckwasn’ton
myside.
That’
swhyiam her
etoday
,taki
ngovermy
grandma’
sprev
iousj
obbecauseineededt
he
moneyandhadnochoice.
Aaahy es,t
het at
toosandt hebel
l
yring.Yep,
youhear dr
ight,t
at t
oos.Ihaveatat
tooonmy
hipboneandanot heroneonmyheadofan
eagle.Yes,underneathall
thi
shairihavea
tatt
ooofaneagl e.
.
.
Igotthetat
toosdonewheni wasinhighschool.
It
’sfunnyhowpoori wasdur
ingschool hol
iday
s
wheni wasathomebutatschool i
wast he
ri
chestkidever.Iconcl
udedthatmygr andma’s
bosswasf i
lt
hyr i
ghtandtheywerehelpingout
granbutwe’l
l getbacktothi
sshadypar tofmy
l
ifelat
er.
Sot odayisWednesday ,3rddayatt heEv ans
residence.IwokeupandSt effiwassti
llasleep.
Itookmyt i
met olookather .Shewasr eall
y
beaut i
fulandcutewit hherlitt
lepoutedli
pswi th
hairalloverherface.Ijustwonderwhatr eall
y
happenedt ohermot her.
 
Igotoutofbedandwenttotakeashower.I
tookext
ralongbecauseiwokeupat5am and
myshowerwasst eaminghot.Iwashedmyhai
r
andwentout. 
Inev
erhadanyweav es.Myhairi
srustybr
own
andit
ssupercur
ly.Soi dr
iedmyhairandt
iedi
t
up.Iworemybluejeans,
myblacksuperstar
sneakersandapi
nklongsleev
et-
shir
tsinceit
wasr ai
ningt
oday
. 
Iwentdownt othekitchen,i
twas6h30and
star
tedonbreakfast.Imadeporri
dgesince
Thobasaidheli
kesi t.Ial
somadeeggs,
pancakesandbaconf ort
heyounglady
.Imade
fr
uitsal
adforme.  
Ifi
nishedmakingbreakfastandi
wentuptocall
ThobaandSt eff
i.Imetupwi t
hThobaonthe
stai
rsandhewasshi rt
less.Mymouthwentdry
andi j
ustf
roze. 
Il
ookedathimfrom hisperf
ectfeet,t
hepy j
ama
bot
tom thatwasri
dinglowonhi shipsandi
al
solookedathisgroi
n,myey esstayedthere
unt
ilihear
dhim cl
earhisthr
oatandi lookedat
hi
sface,BIGMISTAKE!! 
Helookedsoper
fectwit
hthatsmileandhis
eyesl
ookedli
kehejustwokeup.Heclearedhi
s
thr
oatagai
nandisnappedoutifi
t.Il
ookedat
hi
m.
Thoba:“Cani pass?
”ilookedar
oundandisaw
thati
wasst andingi
nthewayatthebott
om of
thestai
rs.
 
Me:“Ohi’
m eerr
rsor
ry”i
gotoutoft
heway
embarr
assed.
Thoba:
“Br
eakf
ast
?” 
Me:
“huh?
” 
Thoba:
“Isi
tready
?” 
Me:“Ohy es,
breakf
asti
sready
.”Isai
dlaughi
ng
shy
ly.Thi
smanwasgoi ngtobethedeathof
me.
Thoba:“I
’
llgetoni
tthen.Iam hungr
y”hesai
d
rubbi
nghi
ssixpack.Iwantedtorunmyhandall
overhi
m. 
Me:
“Okay
,letmegogetSt
eff
i”
 
Thoba:“Don’
ttaket
ool
ong.Ihat
eeat
ing
al
one.”
 
.
.
Hesai dt
hatandwinkedatme.Hewal kedaway
wit
hmel ookingathi
m busystr
etchi
ngand
fl
exinghi
smuscles.Inot
icedaneagletat
too
coveredhi
swholeback,i
twasf r
eakensexy.
Iqui
ckl
yrushedupst
air
stowakeSt
eff
iup.
Me:
“honey
” 
St
eff
i:“Hmmm?
”
Me:
“Wakeuphoneyi
t’
sti
mef
orbr
eakf
ast
” 
St
effi
:“5moreminutes”shesai
dpul
l
ingt
he
bl
anketov
erherhead.
Me:“Comeonbaby
.Daddyi
sal
ready
downst
air
s” 
St
eff
i:“Doi
hav
etoeatsi
sAphi
we?
”
Me:
“Yeshoney
.Br
eakf
asti
simpor
tantbaby
” 
Shefi
nall
ygotup,ihel
pedhertakeaqui
ck
showerandsheinsi
stedondressi
ngj
ustli
ke
me.It
oldhert
ogodownst
air
stoj
oinherf
ather
whi
leicomposemy
sel
f.
Il
aterwentdownst
air
sandfoundThobagett
ing
outofhi
schair
.Helookedatmeandbloody
smil
ed.Hesatbackdown.
Thoba:
“Iwasj
ustcomi
ngt
ogety
ou”
 
Me:
“Iwascl
ear
ingmybedr
oom”
 
Thoba:
“Ohokay
.Comej
oinus”
Isatdownandat
ethef
rui
tsal
ad.
Thoba:
“Wat
chi
ngy
ourf
igur
e?”
Me:“Notreal
ly
”iansweredwi thoutl
ookingat
hi
m .Iwantedtoeatandfinishmybr eakf
ast
wi
thouthi
m makingmyi nsidesturn.
 
St
eff
i:“Canwegotothepar
ktodaydaddy
?Can
si
sAphiwetakeme?
” 
Thoba:
“We’
l
lgot
oget
her
” 
Me:“Ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
owor
k?”i
askedl
ooki
ng
athi
m.
Thoba:
“Nope,
tookadayof
f”hewi
nked.
 
Wecont inuedeati
ng,Steff
i andThobahav i
ng
thi
sdeepconv er
sati
on.Istoodupandt ookt he
useddishedandst art
edwashi ngthedished.I
wasi nthemi ddl
eofwashi ngthedishedwheni
fel
thim behindme.Hi sarmsonmysi des,he
reachedf ort
hesponget hatwasinmyhands
andwashedhi spl
ate.Hishotbreathonmy
necksendi ngshi
versdownmyspi ne.
Me:
“Don’
twor
ry.I
’
lldoi
t.
”Iwhi
sper
ed
Thoba:“Ir
eal
lydon’
tminddoi
ngitf
ory
ou”he
whisper
edbackandbitmyear
. 
Helef
tandwentupstai
rswithhi
sdaughter
fol
l
owinghim.Helef
tmest andi
ngtherehot
andbother
ed.Whati
sthisguydoingtome???
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t12
.
Aphi
we
.
Godi
stest
ingmef
orr
eal
. 
Ineverhadanyf r
iendsijusthadpeoplethati
wascl osetoandaf terhi
ghschool welost
contact.Theonlypeoplecl osetomyhear ti
s
mygr andmot herandmyhi ghschoolt
eacher
MrsMay .Evenmyaunt ’sandcousinsi don’
t
getalongwit h.
 
I’
veneverbeenkissedandi nev erhada
boyfr
iendsothatwoul dmeant hati am avi
rgi
n.
Iknowallaboutseductionandi knowexactl
y
whatThobawasdoi ng.Ihadbeenont hecal
l
withMrsMaybecausewecal leachotherbaby
andthatweloveeachot her
. 
Thobagotinthekitchenandstart
edbei ng
weir
d.Soweirdthathecussedmeout .Ijut
deci
dedtolethim be.Iwentt
ot heloungeand
chi
ll
edwithSteff
i.Thobacamedownst air
sand
tol
dhisdaughterthathewasleavingandshe
sai
dokay
. 
Thoba:
“Youhear
dmeAphi
we?
’” 
Me: “YesMrEvansihear
dyou”idi
dthaton
purposetoshowhimthatwehadcrossed
boundari
es.
 
Thoba:
“Canwet
alki
ntheki
tchen?
” 
Me:“Yessi
r”i
putSt
eff
iont
hecouchand
wal
kedbehi
ndhim.
.
 
Wegottot
hekitchenandhepi
ckedmeupand
putmeonthecountersof
asti
wasn’
treadyf
or
that
Thoba:“Youhav eaboyfr
iend?”heasked
l
ookinginmyey es.Iswal
lowedhard.Ishook
myhead, hepi
nchedmysi de. 
Me:
“No,
noi
don’
thav
eaboy
fri
end”
 
Thoba:
“Whowast
hatont
hephone?
” 
Me:
“Myhi
ghschool
teacherMr
sMay
” 
Thoba:
“Soy
oucal
leachot
herbaby
?” 
Me:“Yes”isai
dlooki
ngdown.Heputhi
shand
undermychin.
Thoba:“LookatmeAphiwe”i
lookedathi
m
andhiseyeshadchanged.
 
Thoba:
“Iam sor
ryaboutear
li
er.Iam sor
ryt
hat
iwasajer
k”
Me:
“You’
real
way
saj
erk.
” 
Thoba:
“Iknowandi
am r
eal
l
ysor
ry”
 
Me:
“It
’sokayMrEv
ans”
Thoba:
“pl
easest
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
” 
Me:
“Iti
syoursur
namenj
e” 
Thoba:“Okaykebutyekaukungbi
za
ngesbongo(Okaybutstopcal
li
ngmebymy
surname) 
Me:
“Rogert
hat
” 
Welaughed,
iwasst
il
lont
heki
tchencount
er
andther
ewasthi
sawkwar
dsil
ence.Iwasabi
t
uncomfor
tabl
enowandhesawi
tandcame
cl
oser.
 
Me:
“Cani
getdownpl
ease”
 
Thoba:“Why
,youscar
edofmebei
ngt
hiscl
ose
toyou?
” 
Me:
“Ij
ustwantt
ocheckon.
..
” 
Stef
fi
:“Si
sAphi
we,whyareyousi
tt
ingther
e?”
Thobaqui
ckl
ypul
ledawayiwant
edtolaugh
Me:“Iwastalki
ngtoyourdaddy
”ijumpedfr
om
thecount
erandwenttoher.Pi
ckedherupand
wewentt ot
heloungewit
hThobaf ol
l
owing
behi
nd. 
Stef
fi
:“Iam sl
eepysisAphi
we”shesai
dput
ti
ng
herheadonmyl ap.
 
Me:
“Sl
eepmyangel
”isai
dbr
ushi
ngherhai
r.
 
.
Thobaontheot
herhandwassi
tt
ingsocl
oseto
methathehadhisar
m ar
oundme.Hesmell
ed
sogoodi
want
edt
oleanonhi
m. 
Thoba:
“Youwantt
ea?
” 
Me:
“Nope,
notaf
an”
 
Thoba:
“Aahy
es,
youl
i
kehotchocol
ate”
 
Me:
“Younot
iced?
” 
Thoba:
“Inot
iceev
ery
thi
ngabouty
ou”
 
Me:“i’
dlov
ehotchocol
atesi
r”hewaswalki
ng
outt
hedoorwhenheturnedaroundandl
ooked
atme.
Thoba:
“Coul
dyoust
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
?” 
Me:
“It
houghty
oul
i
kedi
t”
 
Thoba:
“Ihat
eit
!”
 
Me:
“OkayBhutThoba”
 
Thoba:
“Youknowwhat
?Igi
veupony
ouchi
l
d” 
Hedisappear
edintheki
tchen.Icont
inued
si
tt
ingtherewit
hStef
fi
.Hecamebackwi t
htwo
cof
feemugs.Iguesshehadhi steaandmyhot
chocol
ate.
 
Me:
“Thanks.Smel
l
sgood.
” 
Thoba:
“Justl
i
keme”
 
Il
aughedoutl
oudandSt
eff
ist
ir
redabi
t.
 
Thoba:
“Letmetakeherupstai
rs.Wheni
come
backwewil
lwat
chamov ie” 
Hetookherandhi
sphoner
angbef
orehecoul
d
l
eav
et heroom.
 
Thoba:“Pl
easeanswerf
ormeandt
akea
message” 
I
twaswr
it
tenZamoandi
answer
ed.
.
 
Me:
“ThobaEv
ansphone,
hel
l
o?”
 
Zamo:
“Whot
hehel
lar
eyou?
” 
Me:
“Howcani
hel
pyou?
” 
Zamo:
“Iaskedy
ouwhot
hef
uckar
eyou?
” 
Me:
“Cani
takeamessage?
” 
Zamo:“Bi
tchy
oubet
terputmymanont
he
phone”
 
Me:
“Okay
,iwi
l
lpassont
hemessage”
 
Ihungupandputt
hephonedown.Thobacame
backandhesawmymoodhadchanged. 
Thoba:
“Whowast
hat
?” 
Me:
“Av
eryr
udeZamo”
 
Thoba:
“Oh.
.”
 
Me:
“Letmegogetst
art
edonl
unch”
 
Thoba:“It
houghtwewer
egoi
ngt
owat
cha
movie”
Me:
“It
hinkst
art
ingonl
unchi
sbet
ter
” 
Hepull
edmet
ohi
slapandgr
ippedmyt
highs
t
ight
ly.
 
Thoba:
“Iwor
kwi
thher
” 
Me:
“Whoy
ousl
eepwi
thi
snotmybusi
ness”
 
Thoba:
“Iti
syourbusi
ness”
 
Me:
“Why
?” 
Thoba:
“Because.
..
.”hewhi
sper
edget
ti
ng
cl
osert
omyf aceand..
..
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t14
.
Aphi
we
.
Hav i
ngThoba’ smom aroundkindoff r
eaked
meoutbecausesheopenedupwoundst hat
hurtthemost .Woundsthatirathernotwantto
touchast heyarereal
l
ypainfulbutMr sEvans
wentt her
eeitherway.
 
Thobaseemedl i
kehecamef r
om agoodfami
l
y,
wellexceptf
orhi
sbrotherMfundobuthi
smom
andsisterar
esupercool.St
effii
sasweet
hear
t.
Iwonderwhathappenedt ohermom. 
SoThoba’smom of fer
edt omakel unchand
shemade; Garl
icbreadwi t
hchickenliversand
chutneysoup.Itwasdelici
ous.Icouldn’tst
op
eati
ngnorlicki
ngmyf ingers.
 
Thobawasl ooki
ngatmeweirdlyandMrs
Evanscouldn’
tstopsmi
li
ng.Ont her
ealthough
ihadtostopeati
ngbecauseiwaseatingli
kei
wasstarv
edbyThobaf ordays.
 
MrsEvans:“You’
ref
ullnowbaby
?”shehadan
amusedlookonherface.
Me:
“Yesmom.I
’
m sor
ted”
Mr
sEv
ans:
“Youcanhav
emor
eify
ouwant
.”
 
Me:
“Not
hanks.Iam f
ull
.”
 
IturnedandlookedatSteff
i.Shewaseat
ing
andhummi ng.That
’showgoodt hef
oodwas.I
didn’tev
enwantt olookatThoba.Hemust
thinkiam apig. 
.
.
Me:“Foodwasdel
i
ciousmom.Inev
erhadf
ood
t
hisgood”
 
MrsEv ans:“Ohhoneyatl
easty
ouenjoyedit
,
unl
ikemyj erkofasonher
e.Hehasn’
ttouched
hi
sf ood.”
 
Thoba:“Ohsor
ryi
wast
hinki
ngdeepl
yabout
something”
 
Iknewwhateverhewasthi
nki
ngaboutwasme
andhowfooli
shi l
ookedwheniwaseat
ingt
hat
food.
 
Me: “Letmet
aket
heuseddi
shest
othe
ki
tchen” 
Igather
edev eryt
hingtogetherandhurr
iedto
thekit
chen.Istoodthereandt earsj
ustwent
downmyf ace.Icoul
dn’thelpitanyl
onger.Iat
e
l
ikeapigthati was. 
Seemygrandmawasaliv
einmaidli
kemeand
somet
imesshewouldgotowor
kleavi
ngme
wit
hR10tosurv
ivef
or2weeks.
 
Ihadtosleepwi t
hsugaredwat ersometimes
andsomet i
meswi thporri
dge.Eatingl
ikethat
andbeinginthisplaceapartf
rom schoolfelt
good.Itf
eltgoodbei ngi
nawar m homewi tha
famil
y,eventhoughitwasn’tmyf amil
ybutit
fel
tgood. 
Idon’tknowwhenThobacamei nbutifel
thi
s
armsgoi ngar
oundmeandi j
ustleti
toutbuti
n
betweenmysobsi wastr
yingtoexpl
ainand
apologize.
 
Me:
“I’
m sor
ry.I
..
I.
..
I.
..am sor
ryThoba.
”.
Thoba:
“Shhhshhhsshh.I
t’
sokay
” 
Me:“It
’snotokay
.Iam anembar
rassment
.I’
m
sor
ry”
 
Thoba:“Heyheyheyhey
..
..
lookatme”he
cuppedmyfaceandmadehi mlookathi
m. 
Thoba:“Pl
easedon’tcr
y.I
t’
sokay
.Ipr
omi
se
whatev
eriti
s,i
tisokay”
 
Me:
“Iat
eli
keapi
gandnowy
ouhat
eme”
 
Thoba:“Icoul
dnev
erhat
eyouhoney
.Youwer
e
hungry
” 
Me: “Thobai
..
.”Mr
sEvanswal
kedi
nthe
ki
tchenwithmoredi
shes.
.
.
MrsEvans:
“Ohdear
.IhopeI
’
m noti
nter
rupt
ing
you?
” 
Thoba:
“Nomom.We’
regood.
”
MrsEvans:“Whyareyoucr
yingbaby
?Thoba
whatdi
dy oudoyouanimal
?” 
Thoba:
“Idi
dn’
tdoanyt
hingmom”shepushed
hi
sfacewit
hherpal
m.
Mr
sEv
ans:
“Shutupj
erk.Comebaby
” 
Shet
ookmyar m andwalkedawaywit
hme.
Shet
urnedandlookedatThobaandsai
d; 
Mr
sEv
ans:
“Washt
hedi
shes”
 
Me:
“Hedi
dn’
tdoany
thi
ng.Iwi
l
lwash.
..
.”
 
MrsEvans:
“Iwasn’
ttal
ki
ngt
oyou.Iwas
t
alki
ngtomyjer
kson” 
Thoba:
“Butmom,
idi
dnot
hingwr
ong”
 
Mr
sEv
ans:
“I’
m notgoi
ngt
orepeatmy
sel
f”
 
Shehookedherar
m onmi neandwewal kedt
o
thel
ounge.Wesatthereandiwasl
ookingat
myfeetplay
ingwi
thmyhands.Sheplacedher
handontopofmine. 
Mr
sEv
ans:
“Whywer
eyoucr
ying?
” 
Me:
“Iwasembar
rassed.
” 
Mr
sEv
ans:
“Why
?” 
Me:“Gr
owingupwedidn’
thavemuchandiate
somuchtodayi
musthavelookedl
i
keapig”
 
MrsEvans:
“Whatdoy
oumeany
oudi
dn’
thav
e
much?
”  
Me: “Iwenttothebestschoolsy
esbutduri
ng
schoolholi
daysiwasoneoft hever
ypoorki
ds
i
nt henei
ghbourhood.Sometimesiwoul
dgot o
bedwi
thjustwat
erbecauseGr
anwasnot
al
wayshome” 
MrsEvans:
“Soy
oudi
dn’
tfeel
deser
ving
t
oday?
”  
Me:
“If
eltsel
fi
sh”
 
MrsEvansjustpull
edmei nherar
msandhel
d
me.Steff
iwasn’tevenmindi
ngusasshewas
watchi
ngSofiathefir
st.
 
Thobaappear
edl
aterwi
thacupoft
eaandhot
chocol
atef
orme.
 
Mr
sEv
ans:
“Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng”
 
Thoba:
“Thanky
ouf
ort
odaymom”
 
MrsEv
ans:“Si
sazokhul
umay ezwa?(We’
rest
il
l
goi
ngtot
alkl
,okay?)
”sheaskedlooki
ngatme.
Me:
“Okaymom”i
gav
eheraf
aintsmi
l
e. 
Thobawalkedhi
smom outwhil
eiti
diedt
he
l
oungearea.Hecamebackandtookmyhand
l
eadingmet ohi
sst
udy.
 
Thoba:“Iam sor
ryaboutt
oday
.Sor
ryi
fimade
youfeelanyway”
 
Me:“It
’sokay
.Iwasj
ustf
eel
i
ngov
erwhel
med
byever
ythi
ng” 
Thoba:“Youknowy
oucant
alkt
omeabout
anyt
hingri
ght
?” 
Me:
“Yest
hanks.
” 
Hecamecl oserandcuppedmyf ace.He
broughtmyf acecl
osertohi
s.Her anhi
stongue
onmyl ipsandhekissedme..
.butaswewer e
abouttogetdeeperint
othekissthedoorbel
l
rang.
 
Thoba:“Canthi
sdaygetanymor
e
i
nter
rupti
ons?
? ?
”
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t13
.
Thoba
.
Iwassoclose,ourfaceswer
einchesf
rom each
otherwhenthebell
rangandshejumped.
Me:
“Fuuuuuck!
” 
Aphiwe:“LanguageMrEvans”shesaid
standi
ngupandwal ki
ngtowardsthedoor.I
thenrememberedthatmom saidshewill
come
over.
 
Shewasstandi
ngatthedoorl
ooki
ngatAphi
we
wit
hashockedexpr
ession.
Me:
“Mah?
”shesnappedoutofi
t.
Mom: “Ohhell
oboy”shegreet
edmebuther
eyeswerefi
xedonAphiwe.Shewasact
ing
real
l
yweird.
Aphi
we:
“Hel
l
oMr
sEv
ans”
 
Mom:
“Hi
”shegr
eet
edandwal
kedpasther
. 
Iwal
kedmom t
othel
oungewhi
l
eAphi
we
di
sappear
edt
otheki
tchen.
.
Me:
“And,
whatwast
hat
?”
Mom:
“What
?” 
Me:“Comeonmom.Whyar
eyouact
ingal
l
st
rangel
yonher
?” 
Mom:
“I’
m not
” 
Me:
“Wow,
okay
.Whatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?”
Mom:“Itol
dyouI
’
dcomeaf
tert
hatMf
undo
i
nci
dent
”
Me:
“Ohokay
.Whatdi
ddadsay
?” 
Mom:“He’
stheonewhosi
gnedhi
srel
ease
f
ormsandsethi
m upwi
thapl
acetost
ay”
Me:“ohwowmom t
hati
ssogr
eat
.So
wonder
ful
” 
Mom:
“Shutupwench!
” 
Aphi
wewal
kedi
ncar
ryi
ngat
rayoft
eaand
bi
scui
ts.Shepl
aceditdownt
het
abl
eand
at
temptedtowalkaway.
Mom:
“Si
tdownAphi
we”
 
Aphi
we:
“Mam?
” 
Mom:
“Si
t”
Aphi
wet
ookasi
tont
hesi
ngl
ecouch.
 
Mom:
“Whoar
eyouandwhyar
eyouher
e?”
Me:
“Mom?
” 
Mom:
“Iwasn’
ttal
ki
ngt
oyou”
 
Aphiwe:“Mynamei sAphi
weCamill
aSishi
.I
am 18yearsol
d.Icameheretowork.My
grandmausedtowor kher
ebutduetoherbei
ng
ol
di hadtocomewor kher
eseei
ngthatwe
needthemoney” 
Mom:
“Whydi
dn’
tyougot
oschool
?” 
Me:
“Mom i
sthi
snecessar
y?”
 
Mom:
“Iam t
alki
ngt
oAphi
we!
” 
Aphi
we:“Itri
edtoapply,i
evengot9
di
sti
ncti
onsbutnoonewoul dtakeme.Meand
MrsMaywentf r
om doortodoorbutnoone
wantedtohel
p.Itr
ied.Ir
eall
ytr
ied”
 
Shestart
edcryi
ng.Idi
dn’tknowallthesethi
ngs
aboutherandseei
nghercr ysqueezedatmy
heartv
erybadly
.Ifel
treal
lysorr
yforher.I
wantedtoholdherbutmom beatmet oit
.
Mom:
“Whathappenedt
oyourpar
ent
s?”
 
Me:“MOM!!
!”shegavemeadeat
hst
areand
r
ubbedAphi
we’sback.
Aphiwe:“Inevermetthem.Thediedwheni
wasaf ewmont hsoldinacaracci
dent.Idon’
t
evenhavetheirpi
ctur
es”shewail
edandmom
pull
edherinforahug.Sherockedheruntil
she
quiet
eneddown.
.
Mom:
“Thoba,
pleasegetherwat
er”
 
Iwal
kedt
heki
tchent
ogetherwat
er.Mom i
s
fr
eakeni
mpossi
blebutshehelpedmegett
o
knowAphiwemore.Poorgi
rlhashadat
ough
l
ife.
 
Iwentbackt
othel
oungeandmom waswi
ping
hert
ears.
 
Mom: “I
’
m sorr
yaboutt
hatbaby.Ij
ustwanted
toknowify
ou’r
enother
etohurtmyson”i gav
e
Aphiwet
heglassofwat
er.
Me:
“Real
l
ymom?
” 
Aphi
we:
“It
’sokay
.It
otal
l
yunder
stand”
 
Me:“I
’
m sor
ryabouty
ourpar
ent
s.Don’
tyou
mi
ssthem?”
 
Aphiwe:“Howcany
oumi
sssomet
hingy
ou’
ve
neverhad?”
 
Me:
“I’
m sor
ryAphi
we”
 
Aphiwe:
“It
’sokay
.Letmegogetstar
tedon
l
unch”sheatt
emptedtost
andbutmom pul
led
herdown.
Mom:“Nonsense,
i’
llmakel
unch.Iwi
l
lmake
comf
ortf
oodtofatt
enyouup”
Aphi
we:
“Ar
eyousur
e?”
 
Mom: “Yep.Si
ther
eandsuckf
aceswi
thmy
son”
 
Aphi
weblushedl
ikeaki
dwi
thcandy
,iwant
ed
tol
aughbutidi
dn’t
Me: “Comeonmom”shestoodup,t
ookoffher
bootsandpaddedtot
heki
tchenwi
thsocks
coveredherf
eet.
 
Mom:
“Aphi
we?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Yesmam?
” 
Mom:
“Cal
lmemom”
 
Aphi
we:
“Mom”shegott
ear
y. 
Mom:
“Youar
efr
eaki
shl
ybeaut
if
ul”
 
Aphi
welaughed,
put
ti
ngahandov
erher
mouth.
 
Aphi
we:
“Thanky
oumom”mom wi
nkedand
di
sappear
edt
otheki
tchen.
 
Thatgavemeanopport
unit
ytogositnextto
Aphiwe.It
ookhol
dofherhandsandkissed
them.
.
Me:
“I’
m sor
ryaboutmom”
 
Aphiwe:“I
t’
sokay
.Iguessi
neededt
otal
k
aboutthat
”
Me:
“Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Younev
erasked”
 
Me:“Okay,somom camewi
thregar
dst
owhat
happenedy
ester
daywit
hMfundo”
Aphi
we:
“Ohokay
”
Me:
“Pl
easet
ell
herev
ery
thi
ngt
hathappened.
” 
Aphi
we:
“Okay
.LetmegocheckonSt
eff
i”
 
Shestoodandwal
kedawaygi
vi
ngmet
imet
o
cal
lbackNomzamo.
Zamo:
“Thoba,
whatt
hef
uck?
” 
Me:
“Excuseme,
what
?” 
Zamo:“Icall
edyouearli
erandsomebi
tch
answer
edy ourphone”
 
Me:
“Abi
tch?
” 
Zamo:
“whowast
hat
?” 
Me:
“Howi
sthatanyofy
ourbusi
ness?
” 
Zamo:
“Becausei
’
myourwomanand.
..
.”
 
Me:“Hol
ditr
ightt
her
e.Meandy
ouandj
ust
f
uckbuddi
esnothi
ngmore”
 
Zamo:“It
houghty
oudev
elopedf
eel
i
ngsf
or
me” 
Me:
“Yout
houghtwr
ong”
Aphi
weappear
edandcamet
osi
tont
hecouch
andputat
hrowoverher
.
Me:
“Li
sten,
ihav
etogo”
Zamo:
“She’
sther
eisn’
tshe?
” 
Me:
“Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
rowatwor
k” 
Ihungupt hephoneandwalkedt
othesli
ding
door.IhadtotalktoNomzamotomorr
owabout
endi
ngt hi
sarrangement
.
IfiwastobewithAphiweihadtocutal
lti
es
wit
ht hewomeni havebeensl
eepingwi
th.I
can’tbri
ngheri
ntomyshitanddrama.She
deservestobetr
eatedwit
hrespect.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t15
.
Thoba
.
IsweartoGodiam nev
ergett
ingmychance
withthi
sgi
rl
.Ikeeponget
ti
nginterr
uptedbut
thetast
eofherli
psi
samazing.Evenifitwas
j
ustforasecond.
 
Ist
raight
enedmysel
fandheadedf
orthedoor.I
openedandmyfatherwasther
ewit
hMf undo.
Me:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
 
Dad:“Hell
otoyout
ooThoba.Howar
eyou?I
am f
inethanky
ouforaski
ng”
 
Me:
“Dadpl
ease.Whatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?”
 
Dad:
“Canweatl
eastcomei
n?”
 
Ieyedhim andijustknewt hatihadtolett
hem
i
nbecausewehadt oaddresstheissuesooner
orl
at er
.Ir
atherdoitnowsot haticanputal
l
myf ocusonmyAphi we.Hehehear dthat
?MY
Aphiwe. 
Me: “Sure.Comein.”Imovedawayf
rom t
he
doorandl ett
hem comein.Iwal
kedpastt
hem
tothestudy. 
Dad:“It
houghtwewer
egoi
ngt
otal
kint
he
l
ounge?”
 
Me:
“We’
l
ltal
kinmystudy.Don’
twantAphi
we
t
obemor
euncomfor
table.
” 
Mfundo:
“Yeahwel
lshei
spret
ty”i
lookedat
hi
m.Isowantedt
opunchhi
m. 
Dad:
“ShutupMf
undo.
” 
Iwalkedt
othestudyandi wenti
n.Satonthe
couchandtheydi
dt hesame.Theroom was
awkwardl
yquiet
.Ilookedatmedad,heseemed
pal
e. 
.
.
Welll
etmedescr i
bemypar ent
sfory ou.My
mom isblack.Sheisasbl
ackast heycome.
Hermaidennamei sZuma.Shemar ri
edmydad
NathanEvans,heisawhit
emot herfucker.They
metinvarsi
ty.Mymom wasamedi cal st
udent
andmydadwasal awstudent.
 
Wellmyparents,
mom isaneurosur
geonand
mydadi sajudgehenceMfundoget
tingout
ear
ly.Amandaisanarti
standme,aphy si
cian.
 
Dad:
“Er
micamet
oapol
ogi
zef
ornott
ell
i
ng
y
ouaboutMf
undo’
sear
lyr
elease”
 
Me:“Earl
yrel
ease?Pshhweallknowyouhad
hi
mr el
easedearl
y.Myquest
ioniswhy
? ”
 
Dad:
“Hei
smysonThobaand.
..
” 
Me:“Sohe’
syourson,
for
getaboutev
ery
thi
ng
t
hathedi
dbecauseheisyourson”
 
Dad:
“Hei
ssor
ry”i
chuckl
ed.
Me:“Dadtell
mesomething,whent
hey
r
eleasedhi
m didhel
osehisabi
li
tyt
ospeak?
” 
Dad:
“Noofcour
senot
” 
Me: “St
opspeaki
ngonhi
sbehal
fandl
ethi
m
speak” 
Mfundowasf ul
lofanger
.Icoul
dseethathe
di
dn’twantt
obeher ebuthewasfor
ced. 
Dad:
“Speakboy
” 
Mf
undo:
“I’
m sor
ryaboutwhathappened.
” 
Me:
“Whatexact
lyhappenedMf
undo”
 
Mfundo:“Isl
eptwit
hyourwi
feandwehada
chi
ldtoget
her”hesai
dwit
hasmirk.
 
Me:“Don’
tfuckwi
thmeMf
undo.Don’
tyou
dar
efuckwithme”
 
Igotupandchar
gedforhi
m butmyf
ather
stoppedmebygett
ingi
ntheway.
 
.
.
Me:“Real
l
ydad?That
’swhyhe’
sher
e?To
i
nsul
tme?” 
Dad:Whatt
hefuckiswrongwithyouMf
undo,
i
am t
ryi
ngtobr
ingyouboystogether
”
Mfundo:“Wellidi
dn’
tasky
oudad.Idon’
twant
anypartoft
his.
”
Me:
“Thef
eel
i
ngi
ssomut
ual
” 
Dad:
“St
opi
tbot
hofy
ou.Just
..
.”
 
Me:“Ican’tbel
i
eveyoudad.Ir
eall
ycan’
t
bel
i
evey ou.Youbr
oughthi
m here,i
nmyhouse.
Af
terev
ery
thi
ngheputmet
hrough”
 
Dad:
“Youar
ebr
other
sandt
hishast
ost
op.
” 
Me:“Dadi don’thaveaprobl
em wi
thmov
ing
onbuti wantyoursontostopwi
ththi
s
nonsenseofSteffibei
nghis”
 
Mf
undo:
“Shei
smi
ne”
 
Me: “Noshei sn’
t.Sheismi ne.WehadtheDNA
testsdone.Youwer ethere.That’
swhatdr
ove
youcr azyi
nthefirstpl
ace.That’si
fyouwere
already.
..
.”
 
Mf
undo:
“Iam notcr
azy
” 
Me:
“Coul
dhav
efool
edme”
 
Mf undo:“St
eff
iismine.If
uckedhermother
.I
fuckedNicol
eandi cameinsideofher
.Shei
s
asy oursassheisminebrother
” 
Me: “Youdar
ecomenearmydaught
er,
iwi
l
lki
l
l
you.SamegoesforAphi
we”
 
Mf
undo:
“Oooht
hatone.Iwoul
dlov
etot
ake
hert
obed.
” 
Me:
“Yout
ouchherandy
ou’
redead.
” 
Dad:“Youknowwhat?Itri
ed.Let
’sgoJoshua.
”
JoshuaisMfundo’
s1stname
Mf
undo:
“You’
regi
vi
ngupj
ustl
i
ket
hat
?” 
Dad:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
” 
Mf undo:“Ispent3year
sinalooney
bin.Thr
ee
fuckinyearsal
lbecauseofhi
m andhewon’t
apologize”
 
Il
aughedoutl
oud.Mybr
otherr
eal
l
yiscr
azy
. 
Me:
“Your
eal
l
yar
ecr
azy
” 
Dad:
“Thoba,
stopi
t”
 
Mfundo:
“Youar
egoi
ngt
opayf
ort
his.I
pr
omiseyou”
 
Me:“Youknowwhat
?Leav
e.Bot
hofy
ouget
outofmyhouse”
 
Dad:
“Youar
echasi
ngusout
” 
Me:
“Yes,
takey
ourcr
azysonandl
eav
e” 
Iopenedt hestudydoorandusheredthem out
.I
wal kedthem tothemaindoorandmadeway
fort hem t
oleave.Befor
ei coul
dcl
osethedoor
Mf undoblockedi twi
thhisfoot
.
Mf undo:
“Yournewmai dissexyandbeaut
if
ul.I
am comingafterher.Iam goi
ngtogetherand
fuckhersenseless.Oncei
’m...
” 
Ipunchedhim befor
ecouldfinish.Ipunched
hi
m andclosedt hedoor
.Ileanedmyf orehead
onthedoor.Mf undowasbusybangi ngont he
doorcussi
ngout .Dadwast r
yingt ocalm hi
m
down. 
Eventual
lythenoisedi
eddownandt heylef
t.I
stoodthereforgood30minutes.Iturned
aroundandAphi wewasstandingtherelooki
ng
atmewi thawor ri
edexpr
essiononherf ace.I
walkedtoherandpul l
edherinmyar ms.Her
onehandonmybackandot heroneonmy
head. 
Itf
eltgoodtobeinherarms.Shehadav ery
softbodyandshesmeltnice.Ihadtoprotect
her.Hadtokeephersafefrom mybrother.I
neededforhert
obesaf eandokay .
..
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t16
.
Aphi
we
.
Whatam i doing?Ir
eallydon’
tknow.Alliknow
i
sthatitf
eelsgoodt obei sThoba’
sar msright
now.He’sev enshaking.Ij
ustcont
inuetohold
hi
m,runningmyhandupanddownhi sback
andtheotherhandr ubbinghi
shead. 
Thoba:
“Wher
eismydaught
er?
” 
Me:
“Sl
eepi
ngagai
n.Mustbet
her
ain”
 
Thoba:
“Pl
easegopackabagf
orherf
orat
l
east2weeks.Iam t
aki
nghert
oAmanda’
s
pl
ace”
 
Me:“Isitsafet
otakehert
her
eimeany
our
br
other.
..
.” 
Thoba:“Shewil
lbesafet
rustme.Gopack
whil
eicallmysi
ster
.”
 
Ij
ogt oStef
fi
’sroom.Ipackf orcol
ddaysfor
hotandwarm day s.Ipackedhersl
eepweari
na
di
ffer
entbagt ogetherwit
hherbathtowel
sand
soaps. 
Ipackabagf orshoes.Wheniam donei
have3
bagspackedf orher
.Itaket
hebagsandhead
downstai
rs.
 
.
.
Thobawasal
readydressedi
njeansanda
j
acket
.HehadSteff
iinhisar
ms. 
Thoba:“Pl
easesett
heal
arm af
terl
ocki
ngt
he
door.
” 
Me:
“Locki
ngf
rom t
hei
nsi
de?
” 
Thoba:
“What
??!Youar
ecomi
ngwi
thme.
” 
Me:
“okayl
etmegogetmycoat
” 
Thoba:
“Youwi
ll
weart
heonet hati
am wear
ing.
ComeonAphi
wewedon’thav
emucht i
me” 
Iqui
cklyfol
lowedhimtothegarage.Theboot
wasalreadyopenedsoiplacedthebagsint
he
bootandwentt otakeaseatint
hecar. 
Isatatt
hebackwi
thSt
eff
i.Thobagoti
nand
l
ookedatme.
Thoba:
“Pl
easecomesi
twi
thme.
” 
Poorguylookedshakenpl
ushewasangr
ysoi
gotoutandwenttositatt
hefr
ontwi
thhi
m and
outwedrove.
Ther
ainwasv
eryheav
yitwasabi
tscar
y.
Me:
“Yout
hinkwe’
regonnamakei
t?”
 
Thoba:
“wi
thr
egar
dst
o?”
Me:
“Ther
ain?I
t’
sheav
y”
Thoba:
“Don’
twor
rywe’
l
lbej
ustf
ine”
Hetookmyhandandpl
acedi
tonhi
sthi
gh.Hi
s
handwassosof
tandsowarm. 
Me:
“WhathappenedThoba?
” 
Thoba:“Iam t
ryi
ngt
okeepy
ouandmy
daught
ersafe”
 
Me:“Me?Saf
ehowbecausey
ouar
egoi
ng
backt
owork.
” 
Thoba:
“Iwi
l
ltakel
eav
e.Unt
ili
cansor
tMf
undo
out”
 
Me:“Pl
easedon’
tdoany
thi
ngstupi
d”he
l
ookedatmeandsmil
ed.Ki
ssi
ngthebackof
myhand 
Thoba:“Ahhhy
oucareaboutme”t
hewasi
bl
ushedI’
m sur
eit
urnedcri
msonandhe
l
aughed.
Me:“Ofcour
seicar
e.You’
remyboss.
”He
l
ookedmewithasmirk.
 
Heconti
nueddri
vingandthecar
efell
int
othi
s
comfor
tabl
esil
ence.Wef i
nal
l
yarri
vedat
Amanda’spl
aceinBall
it
o. 
Herhousewashugeandshehadmadsecur
it
y
det
ail
. 
Me:
“Wow”i
whi
sper
ed.
 
Thoba:
“Iknowr
ight
?” 
Theguardsknewhim sotheyletus.Wedr ov
e
forabout2minut
esuntilwecameacr ossthi
s
hugemansion.Br
eathtaking.Hedroveint
oa
garage.Hecameoutandopenedmydoor . 
Thoba:
“Leavethebags.Iwil
lcomebackf
ori
t
onceStef
fii
scomfort
able”
 
Heopenedadoorandwegoti
nsi
det
hehouse.
 
.
.
Wewer ewelcomedbythi
sinv
iti
ngsmel
lof
bakedcakes.Wewalkedi
nfurt
heri
ntot
he
houseunti
lwecameacrossMzansi’
sveryown
Sphephel
oHadebe.Thefoot
bal
lstar
.Heplays
forOrl
andoPi
rat
esandforthenat
ional
team..
HesawThobaandhesmi led.Thef
istbumped
andlookedateachot
her
.Hiseyesmov edf
rom
Thobatome. 
Thoba:
“Wher
eisy
ourwi
fe?
”
Sphephel
o:“Somewher
einthe
house.
.BABY?”
he 
shout
ed.
 
Amanda:
“Int
hel
ounge”
 
Wewal kedfur
theri
ntothehouseandther
eshe
wasl ookingasbeauti
fulasthel
astt
imeisaw
her.Ionlynoti
cedthenthatshewasweari
nga
ri
ng. 
Shequickl
ystoodupwhenshesawus.
She
rushedtousherfacepani
ced.
 
Amanda:
“Whathappened?
” 
Thoba:
“Cani
putherdownf
ir
st?
” 
Amanda:“Ofcour
se.Gotuckheri
nwi
thNdumi
.
He’
salsotaki
nganap” 
Hewentupthest
air
sandAmandat
ookmy
handl
eadi
ngmetot hecouch.
 
Amanda:“Youar
efr
eezi
ngcol
d.Whyar
en’
tyou
dr
essed?
” 
Thoba:“I
t’
smyf aul
t.Weweresomuchina
hurr
ythatidr
aggedheroutoft
hehouse”
 
Amanda:“Whathappenedbro?
”Sphephelo
cametoj
oinusandsetnexttohiswif
e.Thoba
cameandpull
edmet oacouchnexttohim
giv
ingmehisver
ywarm nicesmell
i
ngjacket.
 
Thoba:
“Mf
undohappened.
” 
Amanda: “Whatdoy
oumeanMf
undo
happened?”
 
Thoba:“He’
sbackandhesaidhewi l
ltake
Stef
fiandAphi
weawayf r
om me.Het ouched
herAmanda.Shecal
ledmey est
erdayfrom
workandshewasfri
ghtened.
”
.
.
 
Amanda:“OhmyGod,
Arey
ouokay
?”She
askedme. 
Me:
“Yesi
’
mfi
ne”
 
Sphephel
o:“Sowhatcani
do?Tel
lmewhatt
o
doandI’l
ldoit
” 
Thoba:
“Fornowi wantmydaught
erher
eunti
li
knowit
’ssaf
eforhertocomebackhome” 
Amanda:
“Shecanst
ayasl
ongasshewant
s” 
Sphephel
o:“Whataboutt
hel
adynextt
oyou?
” 
Thoba:
“Ohsor r
yman.If
orgott
oint
roduceyou.
Thi
sisSphephel
oHadebe,Amanda’
shusband
Sphet
hisi
sAphi
weandshei
smy
..
.my
..
.”
 
Amanda:
“Your
..
.?
” 
Thoba:
“Shei
smi
ne”
 
Sphe:
“Ni
cet
omeety
ouAphi
we.Iwi
shwehad
metunderdi
ff
erentci
rcumst
ances.
”
Me:
“Ni
cet
omeety
out
oo”
 
Thoba:
“Wehav
etogetgoi
ng”
 
Amanda:
“Soear
ly?
” 
Thoba:“Yep,
wehav
etogobef
oret
her
ainget
s
worse.
” 
Amanda:
“Okay
.Cal
lmewheny
ougethome”
 
Webi
dthem f
arewel
landwel
eft
. 
Wegoti
nthecarandThobadr
oveout
. 
Me:
“Sonowi
’
myour
s?”
 
Thoba:
“We’
l
ltal
kwhenwegethome.
” 
Wedr ov
ebackinsil
ence.Thedriv
ewaslonger
thanbefor
e.Therai
nswer emuchheavi
erbut
wemanagedt ogethomebef or
eitwasdark.
WegotinandThobaadj ustedt
hetemperat
ure
andsoonitstar
tedheat
ingup.
Thoba:
“Woul
dyoul
i
kehotchocol
ate?
” 
Me:
“Nope,
ijustwantt
orest
” 
Thoba:“Come”hest
retchedouthi
shandandi
reachedf
orit
.Wewalkedupstai
rsi
ntohi
s
bedroom. 
Hetookofmysneakersandloosenedmyjeans.
Healsodi
dthesame.Itookofmyt opandwas
l
eftwit
hmyv estandj
eans.Thobagoti
nand
cuddl
emef r
om theback.
 
Thoba:
“Sl
eep”
 
Me:
“Thobai
.
..”
 
Thoba:
“Sssshhhh.We’
l
ltal
kwheny
ouwake
up” 
Hest rokedmyhairandibeganfeeli
ngsl
eepy.
Het urnedmearoundpulledmet ohi
schest.He
rubbedmybackmaki ngcir
clest
oitunt
ili
fell
asleep. 
.
.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t17
.
Thoba
.
Hav i
ngAphi weinmyar msfeltamazi ng.We
tookanapandIwokeupf ir
st.Icareful
lywent
downst ai
rsandImadedi nner.Ikepton
checkingonherandshewasst i
ll
sleeping.She
sleptunti
lIfini
shed.Idi
shedupandt ookthe
foodtoher .Imadeherhotchocol ateaswel l
as
teaforme.  
I
twasst i
llr
aini
ngati
twassupercoldsoI
understandwhyshesleptsomuch.Ihadcall
ed
Amandat ofi
ndoutaboutStef
fiandshet
old
met hatSteffiwast
ooexcit
edtocare.
 
Iwentupwi
tht
hetraywit
hourf
oodanddr i
nks.
Aphi
wewassti
llsl
eepi
ngandIwokeherup. 
Me:
“Aphi
we?
..
.”Shekeptqui
et.
 
Me:
“Aphi
we?Baby
?” 
Aphi
we:
“Mmmmm?
” 
Me:
“Wakeup.Imadedi
nner
” 
Shequi
ckl
ysatup.Shel
ookedr
eal
l
yal
armed.
 
Me:
“Whathappened?
” 
Aphiwe:“I
’
m sor
ryIf
ell
asl
eep.Ishoul
dhav
e
cooked”
 
Me:
“Nope.Youneededt
orestsoIcooked”
 
Aphi
we:
“Okaybutl
eti
tnothappenagai
n” 
Me:
“Yesmam.Nowgetup”
 
Shegotupandstretched.Hertanktopwentup
abit
.Isawthetatt
ooagai n.Shelookedso
damnsexy.Shewal kedtothebathroom and
cameback5mi nuteslater
.
Aphi
we:
“Smel
l
sgood”
 
Me:
“Tast
esev
enbet
ter
.”
Aphi
we:
“Thanky
ouf
ort
his”
 
Me:
“You’
rewel
comenowdi
gin”
 
Shesaidgr aceandweat e.Wehadal i
ght
conver
sationwi ththef
ood.Iwasdreadi
ngthe
conver
sationt hatwascomingnextbutwehad
toaddressi t
.
Me:
“Aphi
we?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Hmmm?
” 
Me: “Fir
stl
yIwanttoapologi
zeformybr other
’s
behaviourandforput
ti
ngy ouindanger
.Iam
goingtodoev er
ythi
ngthatIcantokeepy ou
safe” 
Aphi
we:
“Tr
uthf
ull
yspeaki
ngIam f
reakedout
.”
Me:“Iwi
llprot
ecty
ou.Iwon’
tletany
thi
ng
happent
oy ou.
” 
Aphi
we:“May
beifIgohome.Imeanhedoesn’
t
knowwher
eIli
ve”
Me:
“Babyno.I
’
m notl
ett
ingy
oul
eav
eme”
 
Shecuppedmef
aceandsatonmyl
ap.
Aphi
we:“Lookatme.Iam notl
eav
ingy
ou.Iam
j
ustgoi
ngfor…”
Me:“I
t’
snotsafebabypl
ease.Ineedy
out
obe
her
ewithme” 
Aphi
we:
“Whataboutwor
k?”
Me: “I’
l
ltaketimeoffwor
k.Iwil
lbeherewit
h
youunt i
lItakecar
eofMfundo.Justdon’
tgo.
Please” 
Shegotoffmyl apandwal kedt
ot hesl
idi
ng
door.Sheopenedandwal kedtothebalcony
.
Shewasweti nasecondandIr eallywasn’
t
expecti
ngthat
.Iquickl
yrushedtoherand
pull
edherinsi
de. 
Me:“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngAphi
we?Tr
yingt
oki
l
l
your
sel
f?”
 
Shewasshiveri
ngsomuchthatshecouldn’
t
answerme.Itookof
fherwetcl
othes.Shewas
l
efti
nherbraandpanti
es.
 
Me:
“Letmeopenupt
heshowerf
ory
ou”
 
Iquicklydashedtotheshowerandopenedi
t
maki ngitsuperwarm,almosthot
.Iwal
kedi
n
andf oundherscratchi
ngherbody.I
twas
tur
ningbl ueandgreen.
 
Me:
“Aphi
wewhat
’shappeni
ng?
” 
Aphiwe:“IthappenswhenIhav
emadecontact
wit
ht herai
n.Mymedsar einmycosmet
ics
bag” 
Iqui
ckl
yrushedt
oherbedroom andt
ookher
meds.If
oundhergr
oaning.Shewasinso
muchpain.
 
Me:“Whydi
dyoudobaby
?Looknowy
ou’
rei
n
pai
n” 
Aphi
we:“Idon’
tknow.Ij
ustzonedout
.I
want
edsomeair.Thi
sIsall
justtoomuchf
or
me” 
Igaveherhermedsandshedrankthem.I
rushedhert
otheshowerandIjoi
nedher.Iwas
soconcernedwit
hherwellbei
ngIdi
dn’
tev
en
checkoutherbodybecausebot
hofuswere
naked.
 
Aft
ertheshowerItookhert
othebedr
oom and
dr
essedherinmysocksandgown.Herski
n
l
ookedbetterandshewasdrowsy
. 
Shef
ellasl
eepandIwenttomyst
udyt
otal
kto
myverygoodfr
iendOyama. 
Me:
“Oy
amyguy
” 
Oy
a:“Shomj
i
ta”
 
Me:
“Howzi
t?”
 
Oya:
“Ev er
ythi
ngisokayonmysi
de.Ican’
t
complai
n.You?” 
Me:“Eishmybr
otheri
sbackandhei
s
t
hreat
eningmywomanandchil
d” 
Oy
a:“Wai
t…y
ouhav
eawoman?
”Ichuckl
ed.
 
Me:
“Iment
ionedmybr
othert
oo.
” 
Oy
ama:
“Idon’
tcar
eaboutMf
undo.I
’
llsor
thi
m
out
.Tel
lmeabouty
ourwoman”
 
Me:“Youshouldseeherman.Sheissoo
beaut
if
ulandsexy.Car
ingandsweet”
 
Oy
a:“Ni
ggay
ouar
ewhi
pped!
” 
Me:“Toomuch.Comebyt
omor
row.Youwi
l
l
seeher
” 
Oy
a:“Okayman.
”
Weendedthecal
landIwentbackupst
air
sto
checkonAphi
we.Shewasawakebutstari
ngat
thecei
li
ng.
 
Me:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng”
 
Aphi
we:
“Bet
ter
”Shedi
dn’
tev
enl
ookatme.
 
Me:“Not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappent
oyou.I
pr
omise”
 
Aphi
we:
“Youpr
omi
se?
”shel
ookedatme.
 
Me:“YesbabyIpromise.
”Iscoopedheri
nmy
armsandshesett
ledonmyl ap.Myli
psmade
cont
actwi
therli
psandshet ast
edsweet.I
want
edtogoonandonwiththekissbutIcoul
d
f
eelt
hatshewasabi
tuncert
ain.
 
Me:
“What
’swr
ong?
” 
Aphiwe:
“Apar tf
rom ear
li
ertodayandnow,
I
haveneverbeenkissedbef
ore” 
Me:
“Huh?
?” 
Aphi
we:
“Ihav
enev
er…”
 
Me:
“Soy
ou’
reav
irgi
n” 
Aphi
we:
“Yes…”shewhi
sper
ed.
 
.
I
’
m notsur
eaboutt
he2ndi
nser
tbutIwi
l
ltr
y.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t18
.
Aphi
we
.
Sohereweareinbednaked.Hahai
’mjoki
ng.
Aft
ertel
li
nghi
mt hatiam avi
rgi
nhel
etmego
andsaidweshouldcuddl
e. 
Thoba:
“Howar
eyouav
irgi
nAphi
we?
” 
Me:“Neverhadaboy
fri
end.Nev
ersl
eptwi
th
any
one” 
Thoba:
“You’
venev
erhadaboy
fri
end?Why
?” 
Me:“Theyhavet
ri
eddon’
tgetmewr
ongbuti
nev
erreal
lywasi
nter
est
ed” 
Thoba:“Wowi
meannoonehasev
ert
ouched
you.
” 
Me:
“Nope”
 
Thoba:
“Noor
gasm?
” 
Me:
“No,
not
hing”
 
Thoba:
“Wow.Okay
” 
Me:
“Ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
” 
Thoba:
“Nonopr
obl
em atal
l
.” 
Wesatther
eandi
twasv er
yawkwar
d.Thoba
st
oodupandgotdr
essed.Hel
ookedand
smel
ledgood.
 
Thoba:“I
’
m goi
ngoutf
oranhourort
wo.I
’
llbe
back”
 
Me:
“Ohokay
” 
Thoba:“Don’
twor
ry.Ihav
ebeefedupsecur
it
y.
Nothi
ngisgoi
ngtohappentoyou” 
Hewalkedoutaf
tert
hat.Iwaski
ndahurti
meanitwasasifhecouldn’
twai
ttogetaway
f
rom me. 
Istr
aight
enedhi
sbedandwenttomyveryown
bedroom.Igott
her
eandisati
nbedreadi
nga
book. 
Anhourl
atert
hedooropened.Iqui
ckl
yrushed
toseewhoiti
sonl
ytobemetbyThobaand
somewoman. 
Thoba:
“Gobackt
obed.I
t’
sonl
yme.
” 
Het
ookt
hewoman’
shandandt
heywal
kedt
o
hi
sbedr
oom andshewasgi
ggl
i
ngnonst
op.
 
Myhear tthatmomentbrokeuntili
twasin
ashes.Iwentt omyroom andlockedmyselfi
n.
Tomakemat t
ersworsei
couldherethem doi
ng
thei
rbusinessthewholenight
.
That
’swheniconcl
udedt
hati
am her
etowor
k
andnot
hingel
se. 
Idon’
tknowwheni fel
lasleepbuti wokeupit
wasmor ni
nganditwasst i
llrai
ning.It
ooka
qui
ckshowerandgotdr essedinmyknee
l
engthwool dr
essandmyt i
mbs.Iwor eawool
hataswellandheadeddownst ai
r s.
 
Ist
artedonbreakf
astandi
nthemiddl
eofit
Thobawalkedinwithhi
swoman.Hewas
shi
rt
lessandshewaswearinghi
stshi
rt.
 
Thoba:
“Mor
ningAphi
we”
 
Me:
“Mor
ningSi
r.Mor
ningMam”
 
Thobaclosedhi
seyesandheexhal
ed.I
cont
inuedwithmaki
ngbreakf
ast
. 
Lady
:“Iam Nomzamo.
” 
Me:
“Aphi
we”
 
Nomzamo: “Whyar
eyouamai
d?Whyar
en’
t
youatschool
?” 
Me:
“Neededt
hej
obandt
hemoney
” 
Nomzamo:
“Ohokay
.Youl
ookpr
ett
y” 
Me:
“Thanks.
”Igav
eheraf
aintsmi
l
e. 
Allthi
stimeThoba’seyeswereonmel ikea
magnet .Hi
seyesmov edev er
ywherei
went.I
fi
nishedonthebreakfastandserv
edthem. 
Me:“MrEvans,doy
ouneedmet odoanyt
hing
f
oryoutoday?
”heshookhi
shead.Notev
en
l
ooki
ngatme. 
Me:
“Cani
goseeSt
eff
itoday
?” 
Thoba:
“Ican’
ttodayi
hav
esomet
hingst
o..
.”
 
Me:
“Noneed.Ij
ustneedy
ourper
missi
on
t
hat
’sal
l
” 
Thoba:
“Howar
eyougoi
ngt
ogett
her
e?”
 
Me:
“Ihav
eitcov
ered”
 
Hewasabouttot
alkagai
nwhenhi
swomanput
herhandonhi
sshoul
der.
 
Nomzamo:“Leavethepoorgi
rl
.Shewil
lfi
nd
herway
.Ar
en’tyougonnaeatPhiwe?
” 
Me:
“It
’sAphi
weandi
am nothungr
y”
I
twassi l
entaftert
hat.Theyfi
nishedeat
ingand
headedupstair
s.Iclear
edthekitchenaf
terthat
iwenttocleanotherrooms.Byt heti
mei was
doneiwast i
redbuti wentt
omaket hel
unch. 
Iwentupstair
sandtol
dt hem t
hatLunchwas
sort
ed.Theycamedownt oeat
.Nomzamo
l
ookedlikeshewasinherowncl ot
hes.They
ateandretr
eatedt
otheloungearea.Icl
eared
theki
tchenandwenttotakeashower .
 
Aftert
heshoweri putonloti
onandwor emy
dustypinkl
ongsleevetur
tleneckdressandmy
browntimberl
andheelswithamar oonlosehat
.
Itookmyhugemar oonbagandmydust ypi
nk
car
diganandheadeddownst
air
sonl
ytofi
nd
Thobaalone.Hel
ookedatmesoint
ensel
yit
mademeuncomf ort
able.
Thoba:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
” 
Me:“ToseeSt ef
fi
.Amandaal
readysentt
he
car
.It
’sout
sidewaiti
ng”
Thoba:
“Oh.
.whenwi
l
lyoubeback?
” 
Me:
“In3hour
s” 
Thoba:
“Wheny
ougetbackweneedt
otal
k” 
Me:
“Isi
taboutSt
eff
i?”
 
Thoba:
“No”
 
Me:
“Am i
bei
ngf
ir
ed?
” 
Thoba:
“Hel
lno”
 
Me:
“Whati
sitabout
?” 
Thoba:
“It
’saboutmeandy
ou.Us”
 
Me:“Therei
snous.Thecari
swai
ti
ngwi
l
lsee
youl
ater
. 
Nomzamoappear
edf
rom t
hest
air
sandshe
l
ookedatme.
Nomzamo:
“You’
rel
eav
ing?
” 
Me:
“yepi
needt
oseeSt
eff
i”
 
Nomzamo:“Ohokay.Thatwi
l
lgi
veussome
t
imealonewi
thThoba” 
Me:
“Okayby
e.”
 
Iwentoutandwal kedtothecar
.Igoti
nand
closedthedoor.Thecardrov
eandtear
sjust
fellf
rom myeyes..
.
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t19
.
Thoba
.
Icanf
inal
l
ysayt
hatIhav
efoundsomeonet
hat
Il
ov edearlyandsomeonethatIcantrustto
bui
ldaf ut
ur ewit
handaround.Fi
ndingAphiwe
i
slikeadr eam cometr
ue.Sheislovi
ng, Ki
nd
andhonest .Sheisv
erysweetandshel ovesmy
daughter.
 
Idon’tknowifyouheardallthatbutshel
oves
mydaught er
.Wespokel astnightabouther
beingav i
rgi
nsoIgotupandIwentt oorder
foodbutonmywayt hereIranintoNomzamo
withmybr ot
herMfundo.Iwasv er
yshockedbut
whatshockmemor ewaswhatwascomi ng
next.
 
Mf
undo:
“Wel
lwel
l
.Hel
l
obi
gbr
other
” 
Zamo:
“Heybaby
”shehel
donmyshoul
der
 
Me:
“Gety
ourf
il
thyhandsof
fme”
Mfundo:“Easybi
gbr
other
.Si
tandl
i
sten
car
eful
ly
” 
Theypul
l
edoutchai
rsandsatdown.
 
.
.
Mf
undo:
“Her
eiswhaty
ou’
regoi
ngt
odo.
” 
Me:
“Andwhywoul
dIdoshi
tyousay
?” 
Nomzamo:
“Itwi
l
ldoy
ougoodl
overboy
.Ver
y
good”
 
Mfundo:
“Youaregoi
ngtotakeNomzamoand
makeheryourwomanof
fi
ci
allyand…”
 
Me:
“Youar
eoutofy
ourcr
azymi
nd”
 
Mf
undo:
“I’
m st
il
ltal
ki
ng…”
 
Ist
oodupat
tempt
ingt
owal
kaway
. 
Mfundo:“Si
tyourassdownbefor
eIdo
somethi
ngbadtoy ourpr
eci
ousAphi
we” 
Isatbackdownsoqui
ckl
ythatMf
undol
aughed
outloud.
 
Mfundo:
“AsIwassay
ing,youwil
ltake
Nomzamoandgiv
emev ir
ginAphi
we. .
” 
Me:“Youarer
eall
ycrazy
”Ichuckl
ed.Mfundo
gotangr
yandbangedthetabl
e.Peopl
earound
usl
ookedatus.
 
Mfundo:“Youwil
ll
eav
eAphi
wef
ormet
o
comfortand…”
 
Me:“Howdi
dyouknowaboutAphi
webei
nga
vi
rgi
n?”
 
Mfundo:“Clear
lyyouf
orgothowqui ckIam
dearbrot
herIbuggedyourhouse.Ihav ebeen
l
ist
eninginonyou.Iwasplanni
ngt ovisit
tomorrowbutyouhavemadet hi
ngseasyf or
me” 
Me: “Andy
ouwental
ongwi
tht
hisbul
l
shi
t?”I
askedNomzamo.
Nomzamo:
“ThobaIl
ovey
ou.Heknowst
hat
…” 
Me:
“Shutup.Iwi
l
ldeal
wit
hyouwhen…”
 
Mf
undo:“ShutupThoba.You’
renotdeal
i
ng
wi
thAny
one.” 
Me:“Youwil
lnotf
orcemei
ntoy
our
cr
azi
ness.
.”
 
Mf
undo:
“Li
sten!
”her
oar
ed!
 
Mf undo:“Youwill
takeNomzamohomewi t
h
younoworIwi llr
apey ourpreci
ousAphi
weand
damageherf orgoodaf t
erthatIwi
ll
goand
fucky ourSt
ephaney” 
Nomzamo:
“That
’st
oomuchMf
undo.Can’
t
you…”
 
Mfundo:
“ShutupBi
tch!Youwi
l
lleav
etoget
her
nowgo”
West oodupandleftwit
hNomzamosnaki ng
herhandonmyar m.Iwant edtoy ankitso
badlybutIdeci
dedtokeepquiet.Idrovetomy
houseandshewasal loverme.Iwasso
i
rri
tated.WhenIgothomeAphi wewasst anding
byherbedroom doorandwhenshesawust he
l
ookonherf acewashear tbr
eaking. 
Ihadt
opretendt
oenjoyushavi
ngsex.Wehad
todoi
tbecauseMfundowasli
steni
ng.
 
Thi
smor
ningAphi
wehandl
edt
hingsl
i
keaboss.
Shedidn’
tbreakdownandshewassobrav
e.
Sheleftf
orAmanda’spl
aceandIhadt
ofol
low
her
.
.
Me:
“Letmedr
ivey
ouhome.Ihav
etogo”
 
Nomzamo:
“Ithoughtwewer
espendi
ngt
he
whol
edayt
ogether
” 
Me:
“Ihav
etogoseemydaught
er”
Nomzamo:
“Soy
ou’
regoi
ngt
obewi
tht
hat
bi
tch?
” 
Me:“Nomzamoplease.Iam wi
thy
ounow.I
’
m
j
ustgoi
ngtoseemydaughter” 
Nomzamo:
“Okay
.You’
l
lcomeseemel
ater
?”
Me:
“Yeahsur
ecome”
 
Idr
ovehertoherplaceandshekeptgoingon
andonaboutourfutur
eIwassoangr y
. 
Me:
“I’
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
” 
Ispedof
frushi
ngt
oAmanda’
s.Ineededt
oget
tomybabi
es.Igott
her
eandshewasi
n
Amanda’
sarms.Shewascr
ying.
 
Amanda:
“Youhav
eaner
vesat
an!
” 
Me:
“Pl
easel
etmeexpl
ain?
” 
Amanda:
“Leav
emyhousey
oudemon!
” 
Aphi
we:
“Noi
t’
sokay
.” 
Amandast
oodupt
oleav
e.Ist
oppedher
. 
Me:
“Pl
easedon’
tgo.Iwanty
out
oheart
his.
” 
AmandasatdownandIknel
tinf
rontofAphi
we.
Me:“Mf undohasourhousebugged.Hetold
melastnight
.Hehasbeenlisteni
ngtous.He
wantsyouAphiweandhesai dhewil
lfor
ce
hi
mselfonher” 
Amanda:
“OhmyGod!
” 
Aphi
we:
“Yousai
dyouwi
l
lpr
otectme”
Amanda:“Youdon’
tunderst
andAphiwe.Once
Mfundoputshi
smindonsomet hi
ng,hereal
l
y
seesi
tthr
ough.Hewil
lgettoyou.Iknowhewil
l.
Aphi
wey
oucan’
tgobackt
her
e” 
Me:
“Iwant
edt
otel
lyouAphi
we”
 
Aphi
we:
“Whataboutt
hatNomzamowoman?
” 
Amanda:
“Nomzamo?
”shet
urnedandl
ooked
atme.
 
Me:“She’
smysecr
etar
yandshei
swor
king
wi
thhim…”
[
06/
11,
22:
36]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t20
.
Aphi
we
.
Thisi
sconfusi
ng.Howcanonepersont
urn
peopl
e’sl
i
vesupsidedownl
iket
his?
Me:
“Youshoul
dhav
etol
dmeThoba”
 
Thoba:
“Icoul
dn’
ttel
lyou.He.
..
” 
Me:“Yeahyeahyeah.Hehasthehousebugged.
Youcouldhavesentmeamessageonmy
phonebutyouchosetheeasywayout.
” 
Thoba:
“I’m sor
ry.I
t’
sjustt
hati
knowwhathe
i
scapableofand...
”
Me: “Andyoucoul
dn’
twaitt
osl
eepwith
Nomzamo.Imeanshei smorematur
eand
experi
encedbutmei.
..
” 
Thoba:“St
opitri
ghtther
eokay?Mfundoisa
si
ckbastar
d.Ineededthatr
eact
ionfr
om youto
convi
nceNomzamo.I ’
m sor
ryaboutl
astni
ght
okay?”
 
Me:“I
’mjusty
ourmai
dThoba.Whatdoeshe
wantf
rom me?” 
Thoba:“Amanda,canweuseoneofy
our
guest
roomsplease?”
Amanda:
“Yeahsur
e.”
 
Shegotupandwefoll
owedherupst
air
stoa
ver
ysecl
udedroom.Shest
oodoutsi
dethe
r
oom.
Amanda:“Youcanuset hi
sroom.Cal
lmeifyou
needany
thing.
”Thobanoddedandpull
edmei n
ther
oom andlockedit
.Iwenttosi
tonthebed
andheknel
tinfrontofme.
Thoba:“iam sor
rybaby
.Iwasani
diot
.I
thought
..
.”
 
Me:
“NoThobay
oudi
dn’
tthi
nk”
 
Thoba:
“Idi
dn’
tthi
nkandi
am sor
ryAphi
we.I
don’
twannal
oseyou”
Me:
“Yousl
eptwi
thherThobaandi
hear
dyou”
 
Thoba:“Mymindwasn’
tev
enther
e.Iwas
thi
nki
ngaboutyout
hewholet
ime.
”
Me:
“That
’ssupposet
omakemef
eel
bet
ter
?” 
Thoba:“babyno.Iwasj
ustadi
ckandi
’
m
sor
ry”
Me:
“Mf
undo,
howdanger
ousi
she?
” 
Hest
oodupandwal
kedt
othewi
ndow,
he
l
ookedoutwi
thhi
shandsonhispocket
s.That
gav
emet i
metolookathi
m.Her eal
l
yisbui
lt
wel
lpl
ushehadanicefi
rm but
t.
 
Thoba:
“Mf
undocanmani
pul
atehi
swayi
nto
l
if
e” 
Me:
“Huh?
” 
Thoba:
“Hehasescapedbef
ore.
” 
Me:“Whatdoyoumean?
”hesi
ghedandl
ooked
outt
hewindow.
Irol
ledmyey es,r
eall
y?Thisiswhat
rel
ationshi
psar eabout?Youhav etobeganold
mant otal
k,imeani l
astdidthatinhi
ghschool
withJenny .Nowi gott
adoi tt
oa24y earol
d
manwi t
h32t eeth.
 
Istoodupandwal
kedt ohim.Irubbedhi
s
shoulder
sandheturnedandlookedme.He
smiledbuti
tdi
dn’
treachhiseyes. 
Heledustothebed.Hetookof
fmyshoes
onceagai
n.Hetookoffhi
sandgotundert
he
cover
s.Hepull
edmet
ohi
m andr
est
edmy
headonhischest
.
Thoba: “Mf undohadanaf fairwithSteffi
’
s
mot her.Whent hi
ngswentsout hhest art
ed
actingcr azy ,
socr azyt hathest abbedAmanda
twicewhenshet ri
edt alki
ngt ohim.Hewas
l
ateradmi t
tedinani nst i
tut
ionaf t
erNi col
edied.
2weeksl aterMf undowasi nmyhouse, i
n
Steffi
’sroom.I twasl aterfoundoutt hathe
actuall
yhackedt heinst i
tut
ion’ssy st
em making
i
teasyf orhi mt owalkoutf ree.
” 
Me:
“Sonowt
hathei
sout
,theyl
ethi
m out
?” 
Thoba:
“Hewassupposedt
ospendhi
swhole
l
if
etherebutnowhei
soutmaki
ngmyli
fea
l
ivi
nghell
” 
Me:“Whyishel
i
ket
his?Whydoeshehav
eit
badfory
ou?”
 
Thoba:“Tobehonesti
don’
tknow.Mf
undo
reconsmom l
ovesmeandAmymor e”
 
Me:
“Doesshe?
” 
Thoba:
“Doesshewhat
?” 
Me:
“Doesshel
ovey
ouguy
smor
e?”
 
Thoba:“No, shelovesusequall
y.Listen
Aphiwe,iknowt hatit
’ssti
ll
earl
yday sbuti
need
foryoutobesaf e.Idon’twantMfundo
anywhereneary ou” 
Me:
“Andhowar
eyougoi
ngt
oachi
evet
hat
?” 
Thoba:
“Iam goi
ngtobeathi
m athisown
gamemylove”heki
ssedmyforehead.
Me:“Whati st
hatsupposetomean?
”hekept
qui
et.It
urnedandlookedathi
m.
Me:
“Thobawhatdoy
oumean?
”
Thoba:“Let
’sgodownandmakedomef
ood.
I
’m hungr
y” 
Isatont
hebednotmovi
ng,if
oldedmyar
ms.
Hegotupandworehi
sshoes.
 
Thoba:
“Come”i
keptqui
etandsul
ked.
 
Thoba:
“Qui
tsul
ki
ngandcome”
 
Me:
“Tel
lmewhaty
ou’
repl
anni
ng?
” 
Thoba:
“Iam gonnaki
l
lhi
m”i
gasped
.
.
.
MEANWHI
LE

.
 
Woman:
“Ihatet
hisl
ife.Ir
eal
l
ydo.Whycan’
t
west
opall
thi
snonsenseandli
venor
mall
y?”
 
Man:
“It
’sv
erydanger
ous.Youknowt
hat
” 
Woman:
“Myki
ds,
mypoorki
dsNi
chol
as.
” 
Man:“Nobuhl
e,youknowt
hatourl
i
fecan
nev
erbenormal”
Nobuhl
e:“Ni
ckourkidsar
esuffer
ing.Thei
r
l
iv
esareindangerandwearesupposedtosit
anddonot
hing?
” 
Nick:
“Asl
ongast
heyar
enotdeadt
heyar
e
good”
Nobuhl
e:“Yousel
fi
shbast
ard!
” 
Nick:
“Cal
lmewhateveryouwantt
ocal
lmebut
youknowthi
sisf
orthebest”
 
Nobuhl
e:“Iam goi
ngbackt
oSout
hAf
ri
ca”
 
Ni
ck:
“Dot
hatandi
wil
lki
l
lyoumy
sel
f”
 
Nobuhle:
“Soi
’
m supposet
osi
ther
eanddo
not
hing?”
 
Ni
ck:
“Ourki
dsar
eokay
.Si
tandst
opwor
ryi
ng”
 
Nobuhl
e:“Iguessy
ou’
regonnahav
etoki
l
lme”
 
Ni
ck:
“what
?” 
Nobuhl
e:“Ki
l
lmeNi
chol
as”
 
Nickstoodther
eandlookedathi
sfei
sty
beauti
fulst
ubbornwi
fe.
Ni
ck:
“Don’
tber
idi
cul
ous”
 
Nobuhl
e:“Iam goi
ngbackandy
ouar
enot
goi
ngtostopme.”
Shewal
kedoutbangi
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndher
..
.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t21
.
Iam nowsi t
ti
nginthi
sbedwi t
hThobaandi
can’tseem tochangehismi ndaboutkill
i
nghis
brother.Isomehowam notcomf or
tablewit
h
him kil
l
inghisownbr ot
her.Iknowt hatheis
dangerousbuti keepbeggingThobat o
reconsiderbuthe’
snotbudgi ng.
“YouknowThobaify
ouki ll
himyou’
l
ldest
royus
beforewecanev
enbegi n”isayt
ohi
m andhe
pull
supmyheadandl ooksatme.
“Howcany ousaythatAphi
we?”helooks
pissedbuti
don’
tcare.Ihav
etotal
khim outof
thiski
ll
i
ngbusi
ness.
“If
eell
ikeanaccompl
iceand.
..
”idon’
tev
enget
tof
ini
shmysentence,
hejumpsin.
“Soy ouwanthi
mtor
apeanddamagey
ou
i
nstead?”
 
“That
’snotwhati
’
m say
ingbutcan’
tyouf
ind
anot
herway,t
omakehim st
op?” 
“Baby ,iknowMf undo,he’smybr other.Hehad
nothingtol oseandhewon’ tstopatnot hing
unti
l heget swhathewant sandt hat’
sy ou”he
getsoutofbedandher ubshi shandov erhi
s
face.Hel ookssof rust
ratedandt hereis
nothingi cando.Hecomesbackandl ooksat
me, hisey espleadi
ng“Please,don’tstopme.
Letmedot hi
s.Notonlyf oryoubutf ormy
familyaswel l”
Ihavenochoi cebuttonod.Allt
hiskill
ing
businesstr
iggersamemor y.I
t’
sfaintbutit’
s
somet hi
ng.Iremembermygr andmot her
standingnexttoacarandthiscoupleinacar .
Thewomanwascr yi
ng,shewasabeaut i
ful
bl
ackwomanandt hemanwaswhite.The
womanspoket omygrandma“pl
easemaSi shi
l
ookaft
erher.Ther
eissomuchdangeraround
her
,ar
oundthem.That’
swhywehav etogo.” 
.
.
“Howam i
supposetot
akecar
eofaninf
ant
madam,
idon’
tevenhav
eenoughmoney?”
 
“We’
ll
sendyoumoney.Justt
akecar
eofher
.
ShemustNEVERknowaboutus”
Iwasbroughtbacktoli
febyThobashaki
ngme.
Iwasbreathi
ngfast
,itwasver
yhardtobreat
h.I
fel
tli
keiwashavingapanicat
tack.
 
“Cal
m down,
i’
mri
ghther
ebaby
.Br
eat
he.Just
br
eathe”
 
Itri
edbreathi
ngbuti
t’
snothappeni
ng.It
’snot
goingaccordi
ngl
ysoherunstothedoorandhe
shoutsforAmandawhoisintheroom soquick
thatit
’sl
ikeshewasri
ghtout
side
“What’
shappeni
ngThoba?
”asksav
ery
pani
ckedAmanda
“Idon’
tknow.Ineedaglassofwateranda
paperback.Hur
rypl
ease”sherushesout
qui
ckly.
Thobacomesandcrouchesinfrontofme.He
pul
lsmyheadandplaceitbetweenmyt hi
ghs.
Heconti
nuesrubbi
ngmybackandmakesme
fol
l
owhisbreathi
ngpat
tern.
“Br eathebabybreathe.1.2.3deepbr eathin.
1.2.3deepbr eat
hout ”ifoll
owt hatpatter
nand
Amandacomesbackwi thagl assofwat erandi
drink.Iam nowcal m butikeept hi
nkingabout
thatflashbackthatihad.Whatdoesi tmean
andwhoi sthatcouple.
 
Thobapul
l
smey
etagai
ntohi
m andt
ell
smet
o
sl
eep.
 
“Doyouneedany
thi
ng?
”asksaconcer
ned
Amanda
“Nosi
s,i
wil
lcal
lyoui
fineedy
ou.Thanks”
 
Wesi tthereinbed,myheartbeathasn’
tsett
led
andhecanf eeli
tbecausehepullsmecloser
almostlikehewantsust obeone.Hekeeps
squeezingmyshoul derandkissi
ngmy
forehead. 
Ifi
nall
ysett
ledownbutidon’
twanttosleep,
i
don’twantt
oclosemyeyesbecausethat
fl
ashbackmightcomebackasadr eam.
“Howar eyoufeeli
ngnow? ”heaskswit
hhis
l
ipsonmyf orehead.If
eelsoserener
ightnow.
Thismanhast akenholdofahugechunkofmy
heartandidon’
tknowwhati woul
dhavedonei
f
hewasn’therewithme.
“I
’
m okay
..
.idon’
tknow.
” 
“Whatdon’tyouknowbaby ?
”he’
srubbi
ngmy
backsonicel
y.Hemi ghtaswel
lbesi
ngi
ngme
alul
laby
.It
’ssosoothing.
“Youknowi
fyouwantmet
ocont
inuet
alki
ng
t
oyou,
youshouldst
oprubbi
ngmybackl
i
ke
t
hat
”hechuckl
esandst
ops.
“OkayI
’
vest
opped.Nowspeak”
 
“Idon’
tknowhowi’
mf eel
ingandisureashel
l
don’
tknowwhathappened.Ij
ust
..
.ij
ust.
..
” 
“Shhhhokayokay
,we’ll
talkaboutt
hisl
ater
.For
nowi needy
outosleep” 
.
.
Icl
osedmyey esandi f
ellasleep.Luckyforme
idi
dn’tdream aboutt
hatf l
ashback.Iwokeup
anditwasdar koutsi
de,insi
det oo.Igotoutof
bedandt heli
ghtcameonst artl
ingme.Bloody
sensorli
ghts.Iwalkt
ot hebat hr
oom and
fr
eshenedup.Wheni comebackThobai s
si
tti
ngont hebedandhi sey esar er
edand
puff
y. 
“Whathappened?What
’swr
ong?
” 
“He’
sdead”hesay
sandmyhear
tbeat
ssof
ast
.
I
tcan’
tbe,
ber
eal
l
ydi
dki
l
lhi
m.
“Whoi
sdeadThoba?
”iwanthi
mtosayi
t
hi
msel
f.
“Mfundo,he’
sdead”myhandf
li
est
omymout
h
andistepback.
“Thobano,
youact
ual
l
yki
l
ledhi
m” 
Hetur
nsaroundsofastl
ooki
ngatmel
i
kei
sai
d
somet
hingsocraz
y.
“Whatdoy
out
akemef
or?
” 
“Youdi
dsayy
ou’
l
lki
l
lhi
m” 
“Inev erl
eftthishouse!Hewasshotinthehead
twice.Atav erypubli
cplace,
yout
hinki’
mt hat
stupid?” 
“Noi
t’
sjust
..
.”
 
“Idi
dn’tl
eavehere.Ihavebeenherewithyou
thewholeti
me, y
esi wantedtoki
l
lhim buti
hadn’
tevenplannedonhowt odoit.”
“I
’
m sor
ry.Yousai
dyou’
l
lki
l
lhi
m andnowhe’
s
dead”
 
“Idi
dn’
tki
l
lhi
m” 
Hereal
lydi
dn’tki
ll
him becausehebrokedown
andcri
edaftert
hat.Amandaappearedandshe
wasaschil
ledasev er
.
“Idon’tknowwhyy ou’
rewast
ingyourt
ears
becausehewasal r
eadydeadanyways.They
beatmet oit
.Ihi
redpeoplet
okil
lhim”
“Howcany
ousayt
hatAmanda?
” 
“Aphi
wehewasaskingfori
tandisur
eashel
l
wasn’
taboutt
olethi
m hur
tyouandmyni
ece.
” 
Wit
hthatshewalksoutl
eavi
ngmewit
hav er
y
qui
etThoba.Thi
sfamil
y,nomant
hisi
stoo
much.

Apr
il20at11:
41am 
· 
Publ
i
c

Li
kePage
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t22
.
.
Iwasbusypackingmyt hings.Ihadtogoback
toSouthAfri
ca,mychi l
drenhav esuffered
enough.Idon’
tcareifigetkill
edbutt hefactis
thatiwouldhaveseenmybeaut if
ulgirl
s.I
fi
nishedpacki
ngandt oldmypi lottogetthe
planereadywe’
llbeleavingin6hour s.Iwanted
togetsomet i
met otalktomyv erystubborn
husband.
Iwentt ohi
sstudyandfoundhim dri
nkingwat er
,
myhusbandl adi
esandgentlemenhasnev er
touchedadropofalcoholi
nhisli
fe.Hesay s
somet hi
ngli
kehedoesn’twantsomet hi
ngt hat
willmakehimlosetheabil
i
tytothinkstrai
ght
andheal wayswantstobeinchargeofhi sbody.
Meont heothersidei dr
inkl
ikeafi
sh.I’
m
j
oking,i
drinkoccasional
lyandhehatesitbut
someti
meswhenhewant smetoagreeto
somethinghemakesmedr i
nkandtakes
advant
age.
Hel ooksupt omeasi enterandthel ookhe
givesmei fiwassomeoneel sei wouldhav e
ranoutt hedoorbutnopei goin.Iknow
war ni
ngmenott ocomeanycl oserbuti want
tobewi thhimf orthesel astfewhour sbeforei
l
eav ethispl
ace.Cany oubel i
evethatwear e
actuall
yhidi
ngi nJapan?Whowoul dhave
thoughtbutt hi
splacei slovelyandt hei
r
technologyleveli
si nsane.
Ihadchangedi nt othi
sbarelytherepeachdr ess,
i
t’shi
sf av
our i
tes.It
’smy“ Fuckme”dr essand
heknowsi t.Hel ooksatmeandshakeshi s
headchuckl i
ng.Thatrightthereisanot hersi
gn
thati
shoul dn’
tgoanyf ur
ther.Seei’
m a45y ear
oldbl
ackf emal ebutyouwoul dmi stakemef or
a25y earold.That ’
showf reshilook.Theysay
swall
owi
nghasanimpactinagi
ngbeauti
ful
ly
,
yay
;Nay?Idon’
tknowbutall
iknowisthati
swall
owall
theti
me;) 
.
.
This“Fuckmedr ess”thatihav eoni am
wear i
ngabsolutelynothingunder neath.It’
sjust
thedressONLY.Noshoes, nothing.I’
mr eadyto
takemypuni shment .Igoar oundt hetableand
het ur
nsonhi schairandhel ooksatmewi t
h
hisdarkblueeyes.Igetcl oserunt i
listandin
frontofhi
m.Hel eansonhi schai randr eall
y
l
ooksatme.Ther ageisnowr eplacedwi thlust,
verydangerouslust.Inowwantt obackaway
butit’
stoolate.
 
Iplacemyf ootonachairinbetweenhi slegs
andhi sandgoesf r
om myt oesupt omyl eg
andi tstay
st here.I
’
m am shiver
ing,he’sonly
touchingmyl egandi’
m al
readydr i
ppingit’
sli
ke
rai
n.Hi shandgoesupt omyt hi
ghandhe
opensi troughlymakingmest umbl eabitbut
hehol dmet oplace.I
nitgoest omyi nner
thi
ghsandher ubshisthumbmaki ngsmal l
cir
clesrightnextt omycooki ejar.Iam
shiveri
ng, myey esarenowcl osedandmy
breathi
nghaschangeddr asti
call
y .Hegoes
furt
herupunt i
lhecomesi ncontactwi t
hmycl it
andhepr esses.Ijump.
“Openy oureyes”hepressesmor eandi moan.I
opent her ealit
tl
eandpr essesharderandi
closemyey esandhestops.Iopenmyey es
quickl
yandhei ssucki
ngonhi sthumbi am st
il
l
l
ookingatt hatwhenhisot herhandmakesway
tomyt highandunexpect edlyhi
s2f i
ngersgoin
andi gaspandj umpal i
ttl
ebuthehol dsmy
waistandt i
ghtenshisgrip.
“Thisiswhaty oucameher eforr
ight?
”his
fi
ngersatedoingwonder si
nmycooki eandi
can’
tev enanswerhimi j
ustmoan“ Answerme,
youcameher ef ort
his?
”hepushesi ndeeper
andi canfeeli
tcomingi am cl
ose.Iam so
cl
ose,
suddenl
yhest
opsagai
n. 
Iopenmyey espanti
ngli
keabloodydog,my
eyesareteary.Ireal
l
yneedthi
s,ineedr
elease
andthisassholeisbusysucki
ngonhismi ddl
e
andindexfingers.
“Yout
ast
egoodmywi
fe.Ver
ygood”hesmi
rks
“
Thanky
ou”i
whi
speri
nmyv
eryshakyv
oice.
Hest andsupandpull
smet ohim.Hepicksme
upandi wr
apmylegsaroundmywhitesexy
hunk.Nickisgor
geousthough,
Chri
sPine
gorgeous. 
Hemakesmesi tonhistablebuthetakesoff
mydr essfir
standhesmi lesli
ckinghi
sl i
ps.It
ry
togetoffthedeskandgodownonhi m buthe
doesn’tal
lowme.Isi tt
hereandwai tforhimto
dowhathel ikesbecausei can’
ttouchhim
whenhe’ sli
kethis.
Hestar
tsbytaki
ngoffhi
st-shi
rtfol
lowedbyhi
s
vest
.Hegoesont ot
akeoffhisloaf
ersand
j
eans.Al lthistimehi sey esareonme.Het akes
offhisCKboxerbr i
efsandcomest ost andi n
frontofmesepar at
ingmyl egswidely.He
kneelsandhi sheadi sinbet weenmyl egs.He
sniffsandhedi vesin.Hisf i
ngerssepar atemy
foldsandhi st onguef l
ickersonmycl i
tgoi ngup
anddown, inandout .I
tfeelssogoodmy
moansar esol oudi’m sur etheguardscanhear
meal l
thewayt odownst ai
rs.Iam closey et
again,istarttoshakeandhequi ckl
yst andsup.
Hepusheshi mselfdeepi nmycooki eandhe
bringsmecl osertohi m.Myhandsar e
balancingbehi ndmeont hedeskandmyassi s
i
nt heai r
. 
Hei
spushi
ngdeepandhardiam cr
y i
ng.I
tfeel
s
t
oodamnpainf
ull
ygood.Hei
sfuckingmef or
r
eal
andheisholdi
ngmesoti
ghtl
y .
“Youwantt oleavemeNobuhle”
smack.smack.smack.Hesmacksinmehar
d,
makingithardformetoanswerhim.
“Iaskedyouafucki
ngquest
ion”hedri
l
lsi
nme
notcari
ngint
heworldt
hatheisdoingmehar
d.
“N-
o-ooo.I
-d-
on’
twantt
o-t
o-t
o..
.”
 
.
.
“Youdon’twanttowhat?”hegoesfast
erandi
l
oseit.Iscr
eam outl
oudscreamingandmaki ng
amesssqui r
ti
ng.DoesNichol
asMi l
l
erstop?No
hegoesharderandfast
erthanbeforef
orcing
metot al
kandnotgivi
ngmet imetocatchmy
br
eath.
“Iam t
alki
ngt
oy ouwoman”heputsmedown
andtur
nsmearound.Hequickl
yent
ersf
rom
behi
ndandsqueezesmyass.
“Ineedt
oseeourgi
rl
s.Theyar
eindanger
” 
Hejustkeepsqui
etandincreasest
hepace.
Damnitthi
smanist r
yingtokil
lme.Hest ops
andturnsmeagain,putt
ingmeont hetable.
Onelegintheai
r,onelegonhisshoulder
.He
l
ooksint
omyey esandt
heyhavegonedarker.
Heisfur
ious.Iknownowthatbytheendofthi
s
sessi
oniwon’tbeablet
owalk. 
Heent ersmesogent l
ythisti
memyhandsgo
onmyboobsandi squeezet herunningmy
tongueal lovermyli
ps.Hebendsandki sses
me.Het henbitesmeunt i
lifeelbl
ood.Hest and
upstraightandhef ucksthelivi
ngshitoutof
me.Hi shai ri
snowwent ,sweatdrippingal
lover
hisbody .Whenhei sli
kethishecangoont he
wholeday . 
Hecont i
nuesgoi nginandoutwi t
hsuchf orce.
Hishandgoi ngtomycl i
toccasional
ly.Iam
buil
dingupagai nbutsuddenl yhisphoner i
ngs.
I
t’sonthedesk, her eachesforit
.Doeshest op
fucki
ngme?Nope, hegoesinmor eandhar der
thanbefore.It
’sasifhewant sallofhimt ogo
i
nmycooki e. 
Heanswer
sthephonecal
l
.“Tal
k”hesay
s.Iput
ahandonmymouthbutheremovesi
twit
hhis
otherfreehand.Hewant smet omalenoise
whilehei sont hephone.Hegoessl owwhi l
e
l
isteningtothecall.Mymoansar enowsof t
er
andhe’ srubbingmycl i
t.Hest opsandlooksat
me, hisexpressionunreadable.Hepull
sand
goesi nonceagai nandi cum onceagainwhile
heisont hephone.Nebi dsthecall
erfarewell
andt hrowsthephoneont hef l
oor.
Hepul lsmet ohim andgivesmelongdeep
strokes.Iknownowhewant stocum.Hegoes
forgood5mi nut
esbef or
ehestart
stojer
k.I
foll
owcl osel
ybehindandhef al
lsonme.His
faceonmybr easts.
Wearebreathi
ngfastandthesmellofsexfi
l
ls
t
heroom.Hepi cksmeupt oidon’
tknowwher e,
i
’mtooti
redtocare.Hesit
susont hecouch.
Hi
m underneat
handmeont op.
“Youdon’thav
et ogoany
mor
e.I
’
vet
akencar
e
ofthepr
oblem.” 
“Whatdoy
oumean?
’iask.Iknowexact
lywhat
hemeans.Iam sl
owl
ydr
if
ti
ngt
osl
eep.
“Ihadhim ki
l
led,
he’
sdeadnow.Ourdaught
er
i
ssafe” 
“Mmmmh”i
sayt
hatandi
passout
.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t23
.
Aftert
hatconfr
ontati
onaboutMfundobei
ng
dead,Thobawasangr yatAmandabutshesai
d
thatherguysweretoolat
e.Theygott
herehe
wasal r
eadydead.
 
“Idon’tunder
standwhyyou’r
emad.Theyki
l
led
him,he’sdeadandyoudon’thav
ehi
sbloodon
yourhands” 
“Youdon’
tunder
standbaby
.I.
..
” 
“MakemeunderstandMrEvans”helookedat
measmil
edalit
tle.That
’swhatiwasoptingf
or,
asmi
l
efr
om hi
m.
Wewer esitt
ingintheloungeareahav i
ngdrinks
wait
ingfortheparentstocomedi scuss
Mfundo’sdeath.Amandawasf uming,poor
Sphedidn’
tknowwhatel setodobecauseshe
di
dn’twanttobet ouched.Theparentsarri
ved
anhourlater.
MrsEvanslookedli
keshewascryi
ng,hereyes
al
lreadandpuffy
.MrEv answasdevast
ated.
 
“They-
theyki
ll
edmyson”andshewail
ed.
Thobaletgoofmyhandandrushedov
ertoher
pull
i
ngherinhisar
ms.Hi
sdadsatdownont he
fl
oorandhecri
ed. 
Okay,t
hiswasrealandiam gladThobadidn’
t
ki
llhi
m.Thesightwasheartbreaki
ng.Amanda
i
snotr emor
sefulatal
l
,shelooksbored.
 
Igotupandwentt
ot hekit
chent ogetwater
.
Myhandswereshaki
ng.Inear l
ydroppedthe
gl
ass.Ist
andt
hereinthekitchentr
yingto
composemysel
fbuti can’
t.
 
.
Iendupdroppi
ngt
omykneesandcurl
edupi
n
thecor
ner
.Thobaf
indsmet
here,
shaki
ng.
“Hey
,what
’swr
ong,
?Whathappened?
” 
“It’
smyf aul
t.It’
smyfaul
t”ikeeprepeati
ng
rocki
ngmy selfbackandfor
th.Iendupi nhis
l
ap.Hei srubbingmybackandi t’
ssoothingme.
Calmingmedown.Amandabar gesi
nthe
kit
chen.
“Areyouact
uall
ymakingthewaternow.
..
?”she
stopswhensheseesmeandThoba.She
comesandkneelsi
nfrontofus.
 
“Babe,
what
’swr
ong?
”shel
i
ftsupmychi
n. 
“I
t’
smyf
aul
t.I
t’
smyf
aul
the’
sdead”
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?”sheasks.
“Hewoul
dsti
llbehereifidi
dn’
tcome.He’dst
il
l
beal
i
ve.Heshouldneverhaveseenme” 
“Doy
our
egr
etbei
ngher
e,i
nmyl
i
feAphi
we?
”
hei
stense.
“Yourparentsar
epr
obabl
ywonder
ingwher
e
thei
rwateris”
 
Istandupandgett hewat erready
.Itookout
glassesandwenttot heloungearea.Ipoured
wat erandgavetoeveryone.Thobajustlooked
atmeandhedi dn’
ttakethewat er
.Hewas
reallyangr
y.Imeanhecan’ tblamemet hough. 
Thi
sisal
lmyf
aul
t,i
feel
responsi
ble.
“Al
liwantt
oknowi
swhoki
l
ledmyson”sai
d
MrEvans
“Jakeplease,
he’
sdead.Wehav
etopl
anhi
s
funer
al”
 
“Howcany ousaythat?Howcanyoudi
smiss
ourson’
sdeathli
kethat?Li
kehewasnot
hing?
”
MrEvansangri
lyasked.
“I
twasboundt
ohappenJake.Oursonwas
cr
azy
!” 
“
Hewasspeci
al,
notcr
azy
”
“Keeptel
li
ngyour
sel
fthat
.”Mr
sEv
ansseemed
sorel
axednow.
“Mom,
howcany
ousayt
hat
?”askedThoba
“Yes,
pleaseaskher
”MrEv
anscomment
ed
“Jakeplease.Webothknowwhyyou’rebei
ng
l
ikethi
ssopl easest
opwitht
hispr
etence”
“Whatpr
etencear
eyout
alki
ngabout
?” 
“Youshi
eldedMf
undobecauseoft
hev
ideo”
 
.
“Whatv i
deo?
”ThobaandAmandaaskedatthe
samet i
me.MrsEvanst
urnedandl
ookedather
husband.
“Shoul
ditel
lthem oryou’
ll
tell
them?
”Mr
Evansshi
ft
eduncomf ort
ably
. 
“Excuseme”i
gotupat
tempt
edt
oleav
e.I
real
l
ycan’
tbepar
toft
his.
“Sitdownchi
ld.You’
reoneofusnowsoy
ou
mightaswell
hearthi
s” 
“She’
snotfami
l
y.She’
sjustamai
d”MrEv
ans
sai
dangri
l
y
“Dad!”hepushedhisfat
herandpressedhi
s
chestwit
hhisknee.Igotupandtr
iedtogethi
m
offbutMrsEvansheldmeback.
“Si
tdownchi
l
d,l
ethi
m beatt
heshi
toutof
hi
m” 
“Thobapl
ease”mybreat
hwasr unni
ngshort
andhenot
iced.Hecameandcalmedmedown
buthi
smotherpushedhi
m asi
deandt ookov
er.
“Breathe.Breathebaby .Youar est
rong.You’
ve
al
way sbeen.Doi tf
orme.Li stentomyv oi
ce.
Focusonmyv oice.
.”andt hefl
ashbackcame
back.Iblackedoutaf terthat.
Iwokeupandscannedtheroom.Thobawas
si
tti
ngonthebedwit
hhisbackonme.Ishift
ed
onthebedandhuggedhimfrom behi
nd.Be
qui
cklyt
urnedmetohisfr
ontandhuggedme,
squeezi
ngme.
“Ican’
tbr
eat
h!”
 
“Sosor
ry.I
’
m sor
rybaby
.I’
m sor
ry”
 
“I
’
m okay
.I’
m okayi
promi
se”
 
“Whathappenedl
ove?
” 
“Yourmom’
sv oi
ce.Ihavehear
ditbef
ore.
Wheniwasyoung,achil
d”
“
Ist
hatwhyy
oupani
ckedmor
e?”
 
“Yes,
itsoundedsof
ami
l
iar
” 
Hepul
l
edmet
ohi
m andhuggedme.
.
.
“Shehear
dme.Sher
emember
smyv
oice
Jake”
 
“Ar
eyousur
eit
’sher
?” 
“Nobuhl
econf
ir
medi
t.I
t’
sher
.”
 
“Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?
” 
“Ineedt
ohy
pnot
iseheragai
n.Ineedhert
o
f
orget,i
needhertof
orgetev
ery
thi
ngorwe
mightaswell
star
tpacki
ng”
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t24
.
Aphi
we
.
Thefollowingday swereveryhardont heEvans,
yesMfundowasabast ar
dbuti sawhowThoba
wassad.Hewoul dcr
ywhenhet houghtnoone
waslooki ng.Stef
fiwassti
ll
atAmanda’ spl
ace.
Iwasal way sinThoba’
sarms.Whet herwe’reat
hisparent’shouse,Amanda’shouseorhi s
home.It oldhimt ost
opdoingthatinfrontof
hisparentsbuthecont i
nuedli
kei hadsaid
nothi
ng. 
Todayi
sFri
day,
Mf undo’
sfuner
al.Iwokeup
andThobawasalr
eadyup,star
ingatme.He
actual
lydoest
hathey
,hest
aresatmef
orno
reason.
“Okay
,you’r
ebei
ngcr
eepysoear
lyi
nthe
morni
ng” 
“Morni
ngmaSi
shi”hegr
eetedandat
tempt
edto
ki
ssmebutipul
ledthebl
ankettomymouth,
he
chuckl
ed.
“Whatnow?
”heaskedt
ryi
ngt
opul
lthebl
anket
.
“Letmebrushmyteethfi
rst”i
quicklygotoff
thebed.Iwasweari
ngmyl ongpyjamas.We
onlyhadsunfor2daysaf
terthatitstar
ted
rai
ningagai
n. 
Igott othebathroom,washedmyf aceand..i
j
ustsai dscrewitandi tookoffmypyjamasand
gotintotheshower .Ihadonlywantedto
freshenupbuti foundmysel fint
heshower .I
feltabreezebehindmeandt hedoorclosed
afterthat.Thobawasi ntheshowerwithme,
starknaked.
“Thoba,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”iaskedt
ryi
ngt
o
coverup.
“
Rel
ax,
we’
l
lonl
ytakeashower
” 
“Thobay
ou’
renaked”hechuckl
ed
“So?
” 
“Sogetout
”iat
tempt
edtopushhi
m buthe
tookhol
dofmyhandsandpi
nnedmetothe
wall
.
“Thesooneryouacceptt hatiam i
nherewi
th
you,t
hesoonerwe’l
lfi
nishourshowerandican
coverupokay
?”hesaidt hatandli
ckedmychin.
Mindyouthewaterwaspour i
ngoverus.
“Fi
ne.Justdon’ttr
yanyt
hingfunny”hesmiled
andtooktheloaferf
rom meandbat hedme.It
wassosweetandsoseduct i
ve.Ikeptmoaning
whenhetouchedsomepar t
sofmybodyand
whenhecamet omycookiejarhesaid;
 
“Bestwaytocleanthi
spartisbytongue”my
eyesshotopenedandilookedathim shocked.
“Huh?
”iaskedshaki
ngmyhead.
“Sayexcuseme,
butanywaysisaidt
hebest
waytocleant
hecooki
ejari
sifiusemytongue”
Ididn’
teveanswerhim.Iqui ckl
yexitedt
he
showerandwr appedat owel aroundme.Iwent
tohisbedroom andfoundt hebedmade.I
rushedtomyownbedr oom andassoonasi
droppedthetowelheent er
edt heroom.
“Idon’
tknowwhyy ou’
rerunni
ngbecauset
hisi
s
goingtohappensoonerorlat
er.
”
“I
’
mjustnotr
eadyf
ori
tyet
” 
“Okay.Hurr
yupandcomedownf orbreakf
ast
”i
noddedsofasthejustlaughedoutloudand
walkedri
ghtoutandleavingthedooropen.
 
Iappl
iedloti
ononmybodyandwor emy
matchingwhitel
aceunderwear.It
henworea
vest
,dof or
givemebutifeelnakedifi
’
m not
weari
ngav est.
It
ookoutmymar
oonkneel
engt
hwool
long
sl
eeveddr
esswit
hmygreycar
digan.Igot
dr
essedandputonmydust
ypinkPumat akki
es.
Iwentdownstair
sandf
oundThobamaki
ngt
ea
andhotchocolat
e.
“Isur
emi ssSteff
i.Thehouseissoqui et
wit
houther”isai
dent er
ingtheki
tchen.He
tur
nedaroundandl ookedatmeforal ongti
me,
ist
art
edget t
inguncomf or
tabl
e.
“Soi
’m bor
ingy
ouAphi
we?
”heaskedst
ari
ng
atme.
“Er
m no,
you.
..
”andt
hebel
lrang.
“Oht
hatmustbebr
eakf
ast
” 
Hewentoutandi l
etoutabreaththatiwas
holdi
ng.Iwentt
ofi
nishwiththetea.Hecame
backwithaWimpypacket.Hetookout
every
thi
ng. 
Eggs,sausagesandt
omatoes.Hedishedout
forusandwesai dgr
aceandstar
tedtoeatbut
i
nsteadofeatinghej
ustl
ookedatme.
“Whydoy
oudot
hat
?”i
askedf
ocusedonmy
pl
ate.
“Dowhat
?” 
“Youli
kestar
ingatmeandi
t’
smaki
ngme
uncomfor
tabl
e”
“Iam?Sorr
y .Ididn’
treal
i
set
hati
wasmaki
ng
youuncomfortable”
“Welly
oushoul
dstopdoi
ngi
t,i
t’
scr
eepy
”he
rai
sedhisey
ebr
ow
“Youknowthethi
ngthatcomest omindwheni
l
ookatyouishowbeauti
fulyouareandas
muchasilovedMfundoi’
m gladhe’
sdead.Hi
m
hur
ti
ngyouwasgoingtokill
me”
“Why
?” 
“Don’
tyouknowAphi
we?
” 
“Don’
tiknowwhat
?” 
Hi
sphonerangbef
orehecoul
danswer
.Itwas
hi
smom tel
li
ngustocomeovert
hechurchas
t
hebodywast
obet
her
einanhour
. 
Soi r
ushedbackupst air
sandchangedt omy
l
ongsl eev
ecot t
onnav ydressandmygr ey
snakeskinsti
let
tosandagr eybag.Iappli
ed
nudelipst
ickandrusheddownst air
s. 
IfoundThobainablacksli
mfi
tsui
tandhewas
tr
yingtost
rai
ghtenhisti
e. 
Iwal
kedt
ohi
m andhi
shandswer
eshaki
ng.
 
“Letme”imovedhishandsandst
art
eddoi
ng
hi
stieandhewaslooki
ngatmeagain.
“St
opi
t”
 
“St
opwhat
?” 
“Stopstar
ingatmel
i
ket
hat
.You’
remaki
ngme
uncomfort
able”
“I’
m sorr
yAphiwe,it
’sj
ustthatiwouldn’thave
beenabletogothroughtheselastfewday s
wit
houtyou.Youhav ebeenmyst rength,you
mighthavenoti
cedhowi wantt obei nyour
armsallthet
ime.Youaremysanct uary
Aphi
we”
 
“Thobai
..
.”
 
“Shhhhhh”hepl acedaf ingeronmymout hbut
soonr epl
aceditwi t
hhislips.Li
pssosoftand
war m wit
hhismi ntybreath.Hepul
ledme
closertohim wi
tht heotherhandanddeepened
thekiss.Hekeptt easi
ngmewi t
hhistongue,
goinginandout .
 
Healsograbbedmybum pulli
ngmecloserand
wheni f
elthi
serect
ioniqui
ckl
yjumpedback.
Hi
sey esweresmallandali
ttl
ered.
“Weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
”Iturnedt
ogobuthe
pul
l
edmebacktohischestandki
ssedmyneck.
Leav
ingsof
tkissesonmyneckmakingme
moanandcreati
ngapooli
nbetweenmylegs.
“Thobapl
ease.
..
” 
“Pl
ease,
we’
regonnabel
ate”
 
“That
’st
heonlyt
hingt
hat’
sst
oppi
ngme.Af
ter
thef
uner
alal
lbet
sareoff
”
Helet
smegoandtakeshiscarkey
s.If
oll
ow
behi
ndwi
thashakybr
eathandbody.
“ohandAphi
we?
”hest
opsandl
ooksatme.
“
Yes?
” 
“I
’minl
ovewi
thyou”hesay
sandcont
inuest
o
wal
kli
kehej
ustdi
dn’tdr
opabombonme.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t25
.
Thoba
.
Iam inlovewi
thAphiwe.It
oldherandi saw
thatshewasshockedbutididn’twantt
opush.
We’llt
ouchonthistopi
cwhenwegetbackf r
om
thefuneral
.Ri
ghtnowwe’reinthecaronour
wayt othecat
holi
cchurchi
nMor ni
ngsi
de.
Aphi
wei
swear
ingt
hisnav
ylongsl
eev
edr
ess.
Sheissosexy,t
hedresshugsherinallt
her
ight
pl
aces.Theki
sswehadbackont hecar
aff
ectedusbothbecausesheaskedformeto
waitafewminutessheneedsthebathr
oom.
 
Iwasn’
tabouttoreli
evemy sel
f.Iwantt obui
ld
upunti
lsheisreadyforme.Iam dr i
vingwith
myotherhandonherexposedt hi
ghandher s
ontopofmine.Idon’tevenwanttor ubher,i
am goi
ngtodoev eryt
hingtoherwhent heti
me
i
sready,whensheisr eady
. 
“Tellmebabe,whydoyouhaveawax? ”she
gasped.I
’
m guessi
ngsheisshocked.I
chuckl
ed.
“Youcheckedmeout
?” 
“OfcourseicheckedyououtAphi
wewewer
e
nakedtoget
herintheshower”
 
“Wel
lidi
dn’
tinv
itey
oui
n” 
“Okaybutwhydoy
ouhav
eawax?
” 
“I
’
veal
way
shadi
tdone,
sincegr
ade10”
 
“Why
?” 
“Idon’
tknow.Myf
ri
endst
ri
edi
tonandi
did
too”
 
“Haveyouev erdoneor alsex”shebreathedout
sl
ow.Icoul
dseet hatiwasi rr
it
ati
ngherbuti
wantedt
oknowal licouldabouther.Luckil
yfor
herwearr
ivedatt hechurchandshegotoutas
soonasiparked.Shedi dn’tevenwaitformeto
goopenthedoorf orheri j
ustlaughed.
“Runl
i
ttl
eAphi
webuti
’
llgety
ousoon”
Igotoutofthecarandmademywayout si
de.
Mymom, Dad,Amanda,Sphe,SteffiandAphi we
werestandi
ngbythedoorwel comingpeopl e.It
suddenl
ydawnedt omet hatmybr otherwas
gone,iwasnevergonnaseehi m again.The
coff
incameandwewenti nsi
def ortheservice.
Theprogram wasv eryshortandweweredone
i
nanhour .Peopl ewerel
edoutandhewast o
belai
dtor estatWestvil
l
eCemet er
y.Iwai
ted
forev
eryonet oleavebefor
egoingtoopenthe
cof
fi
n. 
Ihadaskedtobegi
vensometi
mewit
hhi
m
becauseiwant
edto“t
alk”t
ohi
m. 
I
nact ual
f acti
wantedtoseeifhewasreall
y
dead.Youknowpeopl ehaveawayof“ waki
ng
upfrom thedead”soijusthadtobesure.
 
“Eventhoughyouhurtmemor ethanany one
el
seinmyl i
feist
il
lloveyou.Youar emybr other
andiwill
alway
sthinkofy ou.I’
m sorryabout
howthi
ngswent ,
i’
m sorr
yabouty ourcondit
ion.
Resti
npiecebrot
heranddon’ tcauseanyhav oc
upther
eormay beinhell
may be?”ilaughedand
cl
osedthecoff
in.
 
Itur
nedar
oundandmymom wasst
andi
ng
behi
ndme.
“ohmom,
idi
dn’
tknowy
oual
sowant
edt
osee
him”
“Iact
ual
lywantedtoseei
fhe’
sreal
l
ydead.
Nowthati’
m sure,
wecannowburyhim and
moveonwi
thourl
i
fe.
”Shesai
dthatandwal
ked
away
. 
Icouldnotbeli
evet
hatmom sai
dthat
.Iqui
ckl
y
fol
lowedbehindher
.
“Mom howcany
ousayt
hat
?”
“DropitSbusiso.Weneedt
ogettothe
cemetery”sherushedt
odad’
scarandgoti
n.I
stoodthereforsometi
measki
ngmy sel
fwhy
mom wasl ikethat
. 
Wheni couldn’tansweriturnedandwalkedt
o
mycar.Aphi wewasst andingoutsi
deandit
wasdr
izzlingabi t.Shewasbusyr ubbi
ng
her
sel
fandi rushedtoheropeningthedoor.
“Ohmygodbabyi am sosor
ry”herski
nwas
heat
ingupandshewasshaki
ng.
“I
t’
sokay
.Let
’sgo”shehadt
ear
sinherey
es.
 
Ihadcomplet
elyf
orgot
tenaboutherandrai
n.
Shestar
tedtoscr
atchandifel
tevenworse.
“Let
’sgety
out
oaDr
.”Sheshookherhead.
“No,i
’l
lbef
ine.Justt
urnupt
heheat
.I’
l
lbe
okay
” 
Iputontheheatandshecontinuedshaki
ng.I
fol
lowedtheconvoy.Bytheti
mewegott o
Westvil
l
eshewassl eepi
ngpeaceful
lywit
hher
poutedli
ps.Ipl
antedakissonherli
psandshe
wokeup.
“We’
reher
eal
ready
?Let
’sgo”
“Nono, st
ayhere.I
t’
sraini
ngnow.Stayinthe
car.I
’l
lbebackokay?”shenodded.Iki
ssedher
againandwentout.
 
Thepr
iestdi
daquickser
viceandwewer
edone
i
nanhour.Iwal
kedtoAmandaandSphe.
“Iwi
l
lfet
chSt
eff
ilat
er.Ri
ghtnowi
..
.”
 
“FetchheronMonday
.I’
m surey
ouwantt
o
spendtheweekendwi
thAphiwe”
“Iwoul
dlov
ethatbuti
don’
twannabea
bot
her”
“Fucky
ouhey
”Amandaswor
eatme.
“Whatdi
didonow?
” 
“Myni
ecei
snobot
her
,okay
?” 
“
Okay
” 
“Fet
chheronMonday
,af
ter
noon”sai
dAmanda
andshewal
kedaway.
Iwal
kedt
owardsmycarandgoti
n.Aphi
we
qui
ckl
ywokeup.Herf
acewasabitswol
l
en.
“Howl
onghast
hisbeenhappeni
ng?
” 
“
What
?” 
“Thi
srai
nissue”
 
“Ev
ersi
ncei
coul
dremember
”
“Weneedt
ogety
out
oseesomeone”
“I
’
mfi
ner
eal
l
y.I
’
m bet
ternow.
”
“Youar
esost
ubbor
nAphi
webuti
wil
lfi
xthat
”
It
ookherhandandpl
acedi
tonmythi
gh.I
dr
ovetomyparent
shouset
ogetf
oodforus.
“St
ayher
ei’
m comi
ngbackokay
?”shenodded
andi
leanedi
ntoki
ssher“Il
ovey
ou”
 
Igotoutandwenti
nsi
de.Ther
ewerepeopl
eal
l
overt
hehouse,myparent
shadinv
itedt
hem
overforr
efr
eshment
s. 
Il
ookedformom andf
oundheri
nherbedr
oom
cr
ying.
“Mom..
”shejumpedandwipedhert
ears.I
wal
kedtoherandwrappedmyarmsaround
her
. 
“I
’
m sosor
rymom”
 
“Noi
t’
sokay
.I’
m act
ual
l
yrel
i
eved”
 
“Why
,howcany
ousayt
hatmom?
” 
“YOURBROTHERFORCEDHI
MSELFONME!
HEFUCKI
NTOUCHEDANDVIOLATEDMY
BODY”
 
Shebrokedownandcr
ied.Ij
ustst
oodt
her
e
fr
ozen.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m
I
nser
t26
.
Aphi
we
.
Thobahasbeengonef orover30mi nut
esandi
wasnowf eeli
ngcold.Iwasaboutt ostepoutof
thecarwhenhecamemar chingtot
hecar.His
fat
herfol
l
owi ngbehind.Heopenedt heback
doorandplacedthef oodparcelontheseat
witht
hebaskethewascar ryi
ng. 
Heclosedthedoorandspoket ohisfat
her.
Theywereargui
ng,5minuteslaterhegotinthe
carbangi
ngthedoor.Helookedsoangr yhis
facewasred.
 
Hestar
tedt
hecaranddr ov
eoffinhi
ghspeedi
l
ookedathi
m buthekeptatit
.Hecrossedared
r
obotandiknewthatihadtospeaktohim
“Car
eful
,ist
il
lhav
emywhol
eli
feahead”
 
“Icangl
adl
yleav
eyouher
e”hesai
dti
ght
eni
ng
hi
sjaw.
“Byal
lmeansdoso”hel
ookedatmeandj
ust
dr
ove.
Wef i
nallygottouMhl angaandhepar kedhis
cargetti
ngoutandbangi ngthedoor.Ijustgot
outslowlyandt ookthefoodpar cel
sint he
house.Hewasnowher etobeseenandi wasn’
t
goingtogoaf terhim.Not hanks.Ipacked
everyt
hinginthef r
idgeandwal kedupst ai
rs.
 
Itookoffmyclot
hes,itwasdamncoldbuti
tookthem of
fandwasl ef
tinmybraand
panti
es.Iwentoutthebal
conyandistoodt
her
e.
Welcomingthecold,i
tfel
tsoogood.
 
Idon’tknowhowlongist
oodther
ebecausei
fel
tahandpul l
i
ngmeinsi
de.I
twasThobai j
ust
rol
ledmyey es.
“Arey
oucr
azyAphi
we?
”irol
l
edmyey
esand
hi
sgri
ponmyarmti
ght
ened.
“Youarehur
ti
ngmeThoba”hel
oosenedbut
di
dn’
tletgoofmyar
mtotal
ly
.
“Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngout
side?I
nthedamn
col
d?”
 
“Ij
ustwant
edt
ofeel
somet
hing”
 
“Feel
somet
hing,
arey
oucr
azy
?” 
“Stopi
t!I
’m notcrazy
”ishout
edandwal
kedt
o
thebat
hroom locki
ngit.
Hecameandknocked.It urnedontheshower
anditwassuperwar m andsoot hi
ng.Ist
ayed
for15mi nut
es, aft
ert hatiwalkedoutandhe
wassi t
ti
ngnextt ot hedoor .Ij
ustwalkedtot
he
dresserandstar t
edl oti
oningmybody ,mindyou
ihaddroppedt het owel. 
If
elthi
m approachandhetri
edtotouchmebut
imovedaway .Hesighedl
oudlyandwentt
osit
onthebed.Ifi
nishedandputonmysweatpant
s,
l
ongsleeptshir
tandsocks.
 
“Youhungr
y?”i
askedhi
m st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontof
hi
m
“Canwetal
k?”heaskedl
ooki
ngatme.He
l
ookedpai
ned
“Aft
erweeat .Come”itookhishandbutbefor
e
wecoul dleavehepull
edmei nforaverywarm
ti
ghthug.Ir ubbedhi
sbackandhebr eathedout
l
oudly.Ithoughthewascr yi
ng.
“I
t’
sgonnabeokay
.Thi
ngswi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
” 
“NoAphi
we,thi
ngsar
eamessandt heper
son
whodi
dallt
hisi
snolongerher
etoanswer
”
“Whathappened?
”icuppedhi
sface
“Not
hing,l
et’
sgoeat
”hepul
l
edmyhandand
wewalkedoutoft
hebedr
oom. 
Ionl
ynoticedthenthatwewer edressedthe
same.Wewal kedtot heki
tchenandi madehim
si
t.Helookedsof r
ustrat
edbuti’
lll
ethimt al
k
whenhe’sready.Iwarmedev er
ythingupand
pouredussomej ui
ce.
“Her
e,eat
”heshookhi
shead.
“I
’
m nothungr
y”hepushedt
hepl
ate.
“Ididn’taskyou.Justeat
”ipushedthepl
ate
backt ohim buti
nsteadhepusheditsohar
d
thatitfel
lonthefloor
.
Hest oodupangri
lyandwalkedoutofthe
kit
chen.Il
ostmyappetit
eandi stoodup,put
myf oodinthewarmertoeatlater
.It
ooka
broom andadustpan.Icleanedthefl
oorand
threwawayt hebr
okenpieces.
“Iwasgoi ngtodothat”hesaidbehi
ndmei j
ust
i
gnor edhim andcont
inuedwithwhatiwas
doing.Hecameandknel tnexttome,hetr
ied
taki
ngt hepanawayfrom mebuti br
ushed
awayhi m hand.
“Noit’
sfi
nei’
lldoit
.It
’smyjobany
way s”he
gaspedandfell
onhisbutt
.Hecouldn’
tbeli
evei
sai
dthattohim. 
“Aphiwe.
..
”thatcameoutasawhi
speri
just
i
gnoredhim.
Ifi
nishedcleani
ngupandwentt owashthe
di
shes.Allthisti
mehewassi t
ti
ngonthef l
oor
hi
sheadbet weenhislegs.Iwipedthecountera
dswi t
chedof ft
helight.Iwalkedupst
air
s
l
eavinghim onhiskitchenfloor.I
twasraini
ng
hardandv erycold.
 
Ichangedt omyshor tcot
tonni ghtdr
essand
socks.Gotinbedandpul ledoutmyphone.I
wentt oFacebook, my100t hFacebook.Ihave
tosignupf orFacebookev ery2months.It’
s
exhausti
ngbecausemyaccountwoul djust
disappearanditonlyhappenedt ome.
Thobagotinandswitchedont
heli
ght.Il
ooked
athim andwentbacktomyphone.Hewasjust
standi
ngther
ewithhandsonhispocket
s.
“Canwet
alk?
” 
“I
t’
syourhouseMrEv
ans”
 
“Don’tdothat
.Pleasedon’
tshutmeout.Ineed
you”hewalkedtomeandhegoti nthebedwi t
h
me.Hef r
ozewhenhesawmyexposedt highs
hi
sjawhangi
ng.
“Closey
ourmouth.I
t’
snotl
i
key
ouhav
en’
t
seenmenaked”
 
Hegoti nandpull
edmet ohim makingmef
ace
theothersi
de.Isnuggl
edcloserandbe
groaned.
“You’
renotwear
ingunder
wearbaby
” 
“Isl
eepnakedbutsi
ncei
cameher
eican’
t”
 
“Whynot
?” 
“Ther
eisSt
eff
iandy
ouofcour
se”

“Okay.Let
’sst
optal
ki
ngaboutthi
s.Iwanna
tal
kaboutsomethi
ngimpor
tantwi
thyou” 
“Okay
” 
Hekeptquietforalongti
me,
i ev
enthoughthe
fel
lasl
eep.Itr
iedtotur
nandlookathi
m buthe
hel
dmei nplace.
“Mf
undor
apedmymom”
“Whaaa.
..
.”i
chockedonmysal
iva.Icoughed
sobadl
yandherubbedmeunti
licalmeddown
“Her apedherAphi weandhesai dhewant ed
hert
ocar r
yhissonl i
keshecarr
iedhim.Who
doest hat?”andhecried.Idi
dn’
tknowwhatt o
doijusthel dhi
mi nmyar msandcomf orted
hi
m unt il
hequi et
eneddownandf ell
asleep.
Myphonerang,i
twasofanunknownnumber
.I
qui
etl
ygotofft
hebedandanswered.
“Hel
l
o” 
“I
sthatAphi
weSi
shi
?” 
“Yes,
thi
sisshe.
” 
“Thi
sisDrSt
evens,
doy
ouknowaMaggi
e
Si
shi
?” 
“Yes,
whathappenedt
omygr
andma?
”my
voi
cewasshaky.
“Pl
easecomet
oMcCor
dHospi
tal
,i
t’
sur
gent
” 
“Whathappenedt
oher
?” 
“MissSi
shi
pleasegether
e”hehungup.My
phonesl
i
ppedfrom myhandsandij
ustcr
ied.
..
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t27
.
Aphi
we
.
Thobadi dn’
twasteanyt ime.Wechangedand
dashedt othecar.Ont hewayt othehospi tal
i
couldn’
tstopcryi
ng.Idon’ tknowwhati would
doifi l
osemygr andma.Thobaont heot her
handwaswonder ful
buthewasget tingonmy
nerves,aski
ngmeev ery2secondsi fi ’m okay.
Wegott oMcCor dandwentt other ecept i
on
area.Thobadidthetal ki
ng,iwassov ery
nervousandanemot ionalwreck. 
Aft
erawhi l
eaver
ygoodlooki
ngDrcametous
andint
roducedhi
msel
fasDrTembe.Heshook
Thoba’
shandandmi ne.Thehandshakelast
ed
l
ongerthani
tshouldbecausehewouldn’tl
etgo
ofmyhandandhewasl ooki
ngdeepintomy
eyeswhichmademeuncomf or
tabl
e,Thoba
cl
earedhist
hroat
. 
“Coul
dwegetanupdat
eofMr
sSi
shi
please?
” 
“Ohi ’
m sor
ry.I
t’
sjustt
hatihaveneverseen
suchbeautyand..
.”idi
dn’
tevenwaitforhi
mt o
fi
nish.
“I
’m hi
s,hi
sbeaut
ysoy
oushoul
dcongr
atul
ate
hi
m”i sai
d.
“Ohi’
m sorry
.Ididn’
tknow”hesai
dcl
ear
inghi
s
thr
oatchuckl
ing.
 
Thobajustsqueezedmyhand,il
ookedathi
m
andwinked.DrTembesaidtofol
lowhim.
Thobaandi fol
l
owedbehind.
“Iam defi
nit
elygoi
ngt
okeepyou”he
whisper
edinmyearbit
ingi
t.Ij
ustbl
ushed.
“St
opi
t”hebi
thar
deri
jumped.
 
“Ever
ythi
ngokay?
”askedDrTembeashe
st
eppedintohi
soffi
ce.
“Yes,we’
dli
ket
oknowaboutmygr
andmot
her
pl
ease” 
“Babeplease,
cal
m down”myner
vesar
eback,
i
’m shaki
ng.
“MissSishi yourgrandmothersuf
fer
edf r
om a
ver
ysev erestroke.Ithi
thersobadthatshehas
l
ostherv oiceandshe’ snotr
espondi
ngt o
anyt
hing.Al l
shedoesi sstar
eintospace”
“Wherewasshewhent hi
shappened?
”asked
Thoba.Thetearsarenowfall
i
ng
uncont
roll
abl
y .
 Thobai
srubbi
ngmyback
aski
ngquestionstotheDr.
Ir
eal
lydozoneout
.Al
liwanti
stoseemy
gr
andmother
.Shei
stheonl
yfamil
yihav
e.
“Iwantt
oseeher”i
suddenl
ysay
.Thebot
h
keepqui
etandl
ookatme.
“Ar
eyousur
ebaby
?” 
“Whatdoy oumeani ’
m sure?Ofcour
seiwant
toseeher”heraisesuphishandsand
surr
ender
s.Het henasksDrTembet otakeus
wheregogois.
“Ican’
tloseherThoba”
 
“Youwon’
tlosehersweet
hear
t” 
.
.
“Youpr
omi
se?
” 
“Ipromisebaby”hekissedmyfinger
s.Itwas
soseductive,
imeanev ery
thi
ngThobadoesis
seduct
ive.Thewayheeat s,t
hewayhet al
ks.
EVERYTHI NGaboutthismanisseducti
ve.
“Canwego?”DrTembeaskedl
ooki
ngatus
wit
hanamusedlook.
 
Thobatookmyhandandweheadedt othe
wardthatmygrandmot herwasi
n.Whenwegot
ther
eicouldn’
tbeli
evethatwasgrandmother
onthatbed.Shelookedsosmallandfrail
.Ij
ust
cr
ied.Thobaputhi
sar
msar
oundmeandl
ed
met oher.
 
“Higogo”shekeptqui
et.Shehadzonedout
,
har
dlyevenbl
inki
ng.
“Gogoit’
smeAphiwe.Cany
ouhearme?”she
keptqui
etst
il
lbyt
heniwasamesswit
ht ear
s.
“I’
l
lcomeseey
ouagai
ntomor
row.Il
ovey
ou
gogo” 
Sheturnedherheadsl owlyandshelookedat
mei nterror
.Shestart
edshakingherhead
fur
iously.Thobapull
edmeback, theDrsedated
herafterastruggl
eshef i
nall
yset
tleddown. 
Thobaledmeoutoft
hewardpromisi
ngtheDr
thatwe’
ll
comebackt
henextday.Wewalked
outandgott
othepar
kingl
ot.Heopenedthe
doorforme.
“I
’m havi
ngmaSishit
ransf
err
edt
oUmhl
anga
Hospit
altomor
row” 
“Wi
thwhatThoba?Gogoakanay
oimedi
cal
aid
(
Grandmadoesn’
thav
emedi
cal
aid)
” 
“Wi
thmyownmoney
.I.
..
”
“No.No.No.That
’snotgonnahappen.Youar
e
notgoi
ngtotakemygrandmathere.Thobai
can’
taf
fordi
t.
”
“Andi
am not
/wi
l
lnotmakey
oupaymeback”
“Idon’
twantt
oowey
ouThoba”
“Soy
out
hinki
’
llwantsomet
hingi
nret
urn?
” 
“I
sn’
tthathowy
ouoper
ate?
” 
“Howi
oper
ate?
” 
“Youhel
pgirl
sandmaket
hem sl
eepwi
thy
ou
aspayment
?”
Helookedatmeandchuckl ed,shaki
nghi
s
head.Hestartedthecaranddroveof
f.Hewas
pi
ssedbuti couldn’
tunder
standwhy.
 
Wedr ov
etohi
shouseandhej
ustl
eftmei
nthe
ki
tchen.
 
It
ookmyphoneandcal
l
edLi
sa,
anol
dfr
iend.
 
.
.
“Li
sahel
l
o” 
“Li
sa,
it’
sAphi
we”
 
“HeeeeeyPhi
we.Howar
eyou?
” 
“I
’
m okayi
guess.You?
” 
“I
’
mfi
ne.Tal
ktome”
 
“Ineedadv
iseaboutaguy
” 
“Okay
,shoot
”
Iexpl
ainedever
ythi
ngf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ngbythe
ti
mei wasdoneshewasdeadwithl
aught
er.
Thati
rrit
atedme.
“Phi
we,
you’
venev
erhadaboy
fri
end?
” 
“No,
he’
smyv
eryf
ir
stboy
fri
end”
 
“Honey,helovesyou.He’sdoingeverythi
ngfor
youbecausehelovesy ou.Goupt her
eandt el
l
himyourfearsbaby.Don’taccusehim ofshi
t
hedi
dn’
tdo.
” 
“Whendi
dyougr
owup?
”iaskedl
aughi
ng.
“Ihadto.I
’
m getti
ngmar
riedsoonbutwe’
l
ltal
k
aboutt
hatlat
er.Nowgo!
” 
“Okay.Thanky
ou”i
hungupandt
ookadeep
br
eath.
Iwalkedupstai
rsandwentt omyr oom.Tooka
showerandpul l
edonmyni ghtdress.Iwentto
Thoba’sbedr
oom.Iwasshi tscared.Iknocked
andtherewasn’tananswersoi enter
ed.The
room wasdarkbuticouldseeaf i
gureont he
bed.Thesidelampcameonandi sawhim.He
waslookingatme.
“Whyar
eyouher
eAphi
we?
” 
“I’
m sor
ry.Idi
dn’tmeant
obehorri
ble.I
..
.”i
was
tal
ki
ngreall
yfastandher
eachedouthishand
tome.
“Comeher
e”i
hal
franhal
fwal
kedt
ohi
m.
Igoti
nbedandhepul
l
edmet
ohi
m.Myback
onhi
sfr
ontandhegr
oaned.
“Aphi
weeeee”hewhi
ned.
“What
?” 
“Pant
ies!
” 
“Iwasinahur
ry.Iwant
edt
ogether
ebef
ore
yousl
ept”
Hepul
ledmetohim andkissedthesi
deofmy
f
ace.Wefel
lasl
eepaftert
hat..
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t28
.
Maggi
eSi
shi
.
Mysinsar
efinal
l
ycatchingupwithme.Iam i
n
t
hishospi
tal
becauseicouldn’
tkeepapromi
se
t
hatimadetotheMill
ers.
16y ear
sagoi waswor kingf orthi
sl ovel
y
couple,MrandMr sMi l
ler.Theyhad2gi rl
s.
Thingswentsout hf orthem andt heygav eme
Aphiwet otakecareof .Theyt oldmet heywould
givememoneyt ot akecar eofher .Theywould
sendov erR50000amont hjustforclothesand
herneeds.Igotgreedyandi didn’
twantt otake
careofher.Shegr ewupasapoorper sonbut
theymadesur ethatt heypayf orherschool
feesandschool clothes.
Il
ovedAphiwebutilovedmoneymor e.My
daught
erwouldmistreatherbutididn’
taddress
i
t.Herpar
entshavebeengonef orsolongthati
begantot
hinktheywillnevercomeback. 
IsentAphiwetogowor kasamaidbecausei
couldn’
tjustgi
vehert
hemoney.Iam usedtoi
t,
idon’twanttoshar
eit
. 
Sotodayiwasataspai nOverpor
twi
thafr
iend
whentheyent
ered.Theysti
l
llookedt
hesame.I
wassoshockedthatial
mosthadaheartatt
ack.
Theycameandsaynextt
ome.
 
“Fancyseei
ngy
ouher
eMaggi
e” 
“MrsMi
ll
er”i
tri
edst
andi
ngbutshepul
l
ed
downmyhand.
“SitMaggi
e.Wehavepl
entytot
alkabout
.
ExcuseusNick”MrMi
ll
erst
oodandwentout
.
Isweart
ogodipeedonmy sel
f.Nobuhl
elooked
thesameasbefor
e.Ismi
l
edal it
tl
ebugshejust
keptast
rai
ghtf
ace. 
“Mr
sMi
l
ler
” 
“Stopcall
i
ngmynameMaggi e.Woul
dyoul
i
ke
anotherdr
ink?
”sheaskedmoti
oni
ngthe
owner. 
“Yesmam?
”sai
dtheown.
“Pl
easegetust
hebestandmostexpensi
ve
bot
tl
eofchampagne.Wehav
eplentyto
cel
ebr
ate”
Thel
adywal
kedaway
,leav
ingmewi
tht
his
cal
m beaut
if
ull
ady
.Shehasgr
ownbutshe
l
ooksjustt
hesame.
.
.
“Sot
ell
meMags,
howi
smydaught
er?
”
“Whi
chonemadam?
” 
“Don’tfuckwi
thmeMaggie,
wher
eismy
daughterandhowi
sshe?
”
“She’
sfi
ne”i
repl
i
ed.
“Wher
eisshe?
”
“Atwor
k” 
“Wher
edoesshewor
k?”
“Shewor
ksatuMhl
anga”
 
“
Whatdoesshedot
her
e?”
“She’
samai
d”i
whi
sper
ed.
“speakupMaggi
eidi
dn’
theary
ou”
 
“She’
samai
d”i
spokeal
i
ttl
elouder
.
Shelaughed,shereall
ylaughedv er
yhardit
mademeuncomf ortable.Theladycamewi t
h
thechampagneandpour edforus.Nobuhle
gulpeddownhers.MrMi l
lercameandjoinedus.
Heki ssedhi
swifeandt ookmygl ass.
“Di
sshet
ell
youwhatweneed?
” 
“Noty
etmyl
ove”
 
“Whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
or,
tal
kwoman”hesai
d
l
ooki
ngatme.
“Aphi
wewor
ksasamai
dat
..
.”
 
“Sheworksasamai
d?Asaf
ucki
nmai
d?”he
shout
ed
“Yessi
r,i
..
.”
 
“Whathappenedtot
hemoneythatwegav
e
you?
”heasked,hewassoangr
y.
“Iusei
tfor
..
.”i
whi
sper
ed.
“Speakthefuckup”hepushedt
het
abl
eand
cameclosertome.
“Iuseitf
ormy
sel
f”ianswer
edl
ooki
ngdown,
pl
ayingwit
hmyfi
ngers.
“Youusei
tfory
ourownsel
fi
shneedsandour
daught
eri
samaid?”
 
“Yousaidishoul
dneverl
etpeopl
eknoworsee
thatshehasmoney”
 
“Oht
hat
’swhyy
out
oldhert
ogobeamai
d?”
 
“Iwant
edhertogotoschool
sirbuty
ou
bl
ockedherf
rom ev
eryuni
ver
sit
yther
eis”
 
“Wehav eourr
easonsbutthatdoesn’
tgiv
eyou
ther
ighttomakeourdaughteramaid” 
“Nosi
r,i
’
m sor
ry”
 
.
.
All
thi
sti
meMrMi ll
erwastheonespeaki
ng.
Nobuhl
ewasjustqui
etl
ookingatmewithso
muchanger
.Shestoodupandtookherbag.
Shecametomeandbended.Sheplacedahand
onmyheadandshepul
l
edmyhai
r.
“Begladwe’
reinapubl
icpl
acebecausei
wouldhav
efuckedyouupbynow”shepull
ed
har
derandicr
ied.
“Mr
sMi
l
ler
,you’
rehur
ti
ngme”
 
“Thi
sdoesn’tevenbegi
ntothepainthati
am
goi
ngtoputy outhr
ough.Wheni’
m donewith
youyou’
regonnawishyou’r
edead” 
Sheletgoofmyhandandl
eft
.Iwasnowlef
t
withNickwhowasl
ooki
ngatme,hel
ooked
real
lyi
ntense.
“Maggi
eMags”heusedt
ocal
lmet
hat
.
“Yessi
r”
 
“Her
eiswhat
’sgonnahappengoi
ngf
orwar
d” 
Inoddedver
yqui
ckl
y.Heal
wayshadagood
heartsoi
wassurehewasgoi
ngtogoeasyon
me.
“Youar
egoi
ngt
opayev
erysi
ngl
ecentwe’
ve
eversentt
oyou.Youarealsonotgoi
ngt
otell
ourdaught
eraboutus.Iam gi
vi
ngyou3daysto
paythemoney”hesaidstandi
ngup.
“Butsi
r.
..
” 
“Orel
sei
wil
lki
l
lyou”hesai
dandwal
kedaway
Helef
tmether
efrozenl
iket
hat
.That
’showthe
par
amedi
csfoundme.Iwasgonnadi
e,the
Mil
l
erswer
egoingtokil
lme.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t29
.
Aphi
we
.
Ihadtheemostpeaceful sl
eepeverwhich
mademewakeupl at
ert hanusual.Iqui
ckl
y
wenttoshowerandhelpedmy sel
ftoThoba’
s
whit
et-shi
rt
.Behav
inglikeamadam neh?Hehe
not
!Iwasgonnagot
omyr
oom andchange.
 
Iwentouttothebedroom andfoundhi
m sitt
ing
onthebedgoingthroughhisphone.Helooks
upandsmi l
esatme.Istandbyt hebat
hroom
doorandialsosmil
e.Hiseyesroam ar
oundmy
body,t
helookshegivesme. 
“Mor
ning”hi
svoi
cei
sdeepandsexyandy
um.
“MorningMrEv
ans”i
tsal
mostawhi
sper
.He
chuckl
es.
“Aphi
we,
behav
e”hepat
sthespacenextt
ohi
m.
“Comesitandeat.
”Iwal
ktowher
ehe’
ssi
tt
ing
andsi
tnexttohi
m
You’
rewear
ingmyf av
ori
tet
-shi
rtbyt
heway
”i
l
ookathi
m shocked.
“OhmyGodi’
m sorr
y.I
’
llt
akei
tof
f”hehol
ds
mehandandisi
tdown.
“Don’
tdot
hat
” 
“Don’
ttakeof
fthet
-shi
rt
” 
“Yousai
dit
’sy
ourf
avour
it
esoi
hav
etot
akei
t
off
” 
“Andthatwi
l
lhappen,
rightaf
tery
ouf
ini
sh
eat
ing”
 
Wedi ginbreakf
ast.Wehadeggs,tomat
oes
andbacon.Wehadl i
ghtconver
sat
ionwi
th
breakf
astitwasincredi
ble.
Hekeptl ooki
ngatmesomet y peofwayand
thatsentshiv
ersdownmyspi ne.Wef i
nished
eati
ngandwheni t
ri
edtotakedownt het r
ayhe
tookitandputitontopofhi
sdr esser
.Het ook
myhandandwewentt ohi
sbat hr
oom tobr ush
ourteeth. 
Ifi
nishedbrushingandturnedtoshowhi m my
teeth.Hecamecl osert
omeandki ssedmeso
deeply.Thekisswasnothingli
kethekisses
thatwe’vesharedbefor
e.Hepul l
edmebymy
neckclosertohim andhishandswer eall
over
me.Heputhi shandsundermynakedbum and
groanedv er
ydeeply.Heli
ftedmeupandwe
exi
tedt
hebat
hroom.
Hestoodinthemi ddl
eofthebedr oom wit
hme
i
nhisarmsandcont i
nuedtokissmesosof t
ly
andsodeeply.Hewal kedt
ot hebedandpl aced
meont opofit.Hetookoffthet-shi
rtandiwas
l
eftnaked.Ipani
cked.Isur
ewasn’ treadyf
or
sexandhesawt hat
.
“Hey.I’
m notgonnahurty
ou.Iwon’
tdo
any
thingyoudon’twantmeto.Okay
?” 
“Okay
”iwhi
sper
ed.
“Good.Nowr
elax
” 
.
.
Hecamedownandki ssedmeagain.Hishands
goi
ngallov ermynakedbody.Hepulledoutthe
ki
ssandki ssedthesideofmyface,mychin
andwentt omyneckandi moaned.Hishand
wenttomyr i
ghtboobandhesqueezedmy
ni
ppleearninganothermoanbutlouderthi
s
t
ime.
Hi
shandwassoonrepl
acedbytongueohgodi
mel
ted.Ihel
dmybr
eath,iwasn’
tev
enawarei
wasunti
lhetol
dmetobreat
h.
“Br
eat
heAphi
we.Br
eat
hebaby
” 
Hecamebackupandkissedmeagai
n.Ourl
i
ps
wer
edanci
nganditf
eltsogood.
“Shoul
distop?
”hewhisper
edi
nmyearbef
ore
bi
ti
ngit
.Ishookmyheadno.
“Ican’
theary
ou.
”Heki
ssedmyneck,
imoaned.
“No!
”ishout
ed 
Heki ssedmybr east sagain,
thi
st i
mer ougher.
Heki ssed,gr
abbedmyboobssogent ly.He
wentdownt omyst omachandki ssedmeal l
over.Histonguef l
ickedonmybel l
yr i
ng.He
quicklytur
nedmear oundandiwasonhi s
knees.Hespankedmyassandher anhi shand
onmycooki ejarandi hel
dmybreat h.Hecame
tomyearandwhi speredagain.
“Br
eat
hemyl
ove”
 
Hishandwasr ubbi
ngmybut t
onwhil
ehewas
whisperi
ngi nmyear.Hewentdownki ssi
ngmy
back,itr
iedgoingdownbutheputhi shandon
myst omachandpul ledmeback.Hewentdown
sti
l
l andkissedmybut tcheeks.Hespanked,
ki
ssedandbi tt
hem both.
 
Het urnedmearoundagainandhegotin
betweenmyl egs.Upperbodywasinbetween
myl egs.It
ri
edclosi
ngmyl egsbuthetapped
formet oopen.
“Openwi
derbaby
”
“NoThoba.I
’
m notr
eady
” 
“I’
m notgoi
ngt
ohavesexwi
thy
ou.
..
yet
.just
openupbabypl
ease”
 
“WhyThoba?
” 
“Iwannat
ast
eyoubaby
.Pl
easemet
ast
e” 
Idi
dn’
tev
enr eal
i
zethati
openedmyl
egswhen
weweretal
ki
ngbecauseifel
thi
smout
honmy
cookiejar.Hepulledmet ohi
m andki ssedmy
cookiejardeeper.Imoanedv eryloudl
y.Idi
dn’
t
knowwhatt otouchordobutt hepleasureiwas
feel
ingwasunl ikeanyt
hingihav eeverfel
t
before.
Hepulledmybuttonandsuckedoni tf
ordear
fucki
nlif
e.I
tfel
treal
l
ygoodi wantedtosing
anddancealsoshoutfort
hewholewor ld.If
elt
hisfi
ngeronmybut t
onandhistonguemade
waytomyseal edhole.
“Thoba!
”iscr
eamed.
Ifeltli
keiwasget
ti
ngclosert
obreaki
ng.If
elti
t.
Itfeltr
eal
l
ygoodi want
edtocry.
Ist
art
edtobuil
dup,
ifel
titcoming.Hi
shand
wentfast
eronmybutt
onandi wasgetti
ng
cl
oser
.
.
.
“Letgobaby
”hewhi
sper
ed.
Thatdrov
emet otheedgeandi j
ustcame.My
wholebodywasshaking,t
hishugewaveof
pl
easurewashedoverme.Itri
edgett
ingupbut
heheldmedownunt i
ltheitwasover
. 
Helickedmeagainandcameupaf ter2
minutes.Heki
ssedmesodeeplyand
passionat
elyi
twasamazing.Hepull
edback
andpushedhairawayfr
om myf ace.
“Hi
”heki
ssedme.
“Hi
”iki
ssedhi
m
“Youtast
egood”i
blushedput
ti
ngmyhand
overmyface.
“Don’
thi
de.Iwannaseey
ou”
“No.”Il
aughed.Ir
emov
edmyhandsf
rom my
face
“Il
ovey
ou”hepeckedme.
“Il
ovey
out
oo”hi
ssmi
l
egr
ewl
ouder
.
“I
t’
sthef
ir
stt
imey
ou’
vesai
ditback”i
shr
ug
andhel
aughed.
“Sl
eep”heki
ssedmyf or
eheadandgotof
fme.
Hepull
edmetohim andifel
lasl
eep.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t30
.
Aphi
we
.
Iwokeupl at
erfeel
ingverygoodandv eryshy
.I
wasinThoba’sarmsandhewashol di
ngme
ti
ghtl
y.Iwasalsonaked,sowashebecausei
coul
df eelhi
smanhoodonmybut t.It
ried
movingawayf r
om him buthepul
ledmet ohi
m
evenmor eandheldmet i
ghtl
y.
Thoba:
“Wherear
eyougoi
ng?
”heaskedi
na
sl
eepyvoi
ce.
Me: “I’
m goi
ngt of reshenupandgoseegogo”i
answered.Heki ssedt hesideofmyfaceand
turnedmet ofacehi m.Hepl acedhi
shandon
myf aceandheki ssedme.Hedeepenedt he
kiss,hi
shandinmyhai rpull
i
ngmetohi m.The
kisswassendingmessagest omybody .I
respondedbyr ubbingmynakedbodyagai nst
his.Hefli
ppedmeandi wasnowont opofhim,
myl egsonhissi des.

Iwassit
ti
ngdi
rect
lyonhismanhoodandi
coul
dn’
tstopr
ubbi
ngmy selfonhi
m.Itfel
tso
goodandhewasalsogroaningt
ryi
ngtokeep
mestil
l
.
Thoba:
“Keepst
il
lbaby
”hesai
dinahoar
se
voi
ce.
Me: “I
sthissex?I
tsur
efeel
sgoodmylove”i
sai
dclosingmyeyesandthr
owingmyhead
back.
Thoba:
“Sexi
sev
enbet
ter
”isuddenl
yst
opped
mov
ingandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:
“Let
’sdoi
t”hel
ookedatmeconf
used.
Thoba:
“Let
’sdowhat
?” 
Me: “Let
’shavesex
”hechuckledandpull
edme
offhim.Hemademesi tonmybum andhealso
sataswell,r
ubbi
nghishandsonhisface.
Me:
“What
?”i
askednowconf
used.
Thoba:
“You’
renotr
eady
”if
rowned.
Me:
“Iam r
eadyThoba”
 
Thoba:
“Noy
ou’
renotr
eady
.Let
’sgoshower
”

Hegotoutthebedandpul l
edonhi spyj
ama
bott
om.Hiserect
ionvi
sibl
e.Ireall
ywantedhim,
mycookiej
arwast hr
obbing.Ineededrel
ease.
Hegav emehishandbuti j
ustlookedati
t
pouti
ng.
Thoba:
“ComeonAphi
we,
don’
tdot
his”
 
Me:
“Pl
easeThoba”i
lookedathi
mfl
appi
ngmy
l
ashesandhel
aughs.
Hekneelsonthebedandroughlypul
ledmet o
hi
m bymyl egsandki
ssedme.Het ouchedme
al
lovermakingmewanthim evenmor ebuthe
suddenl
ystopsandshakeshi
sheadchuckling.
Me:
“What
?”i
askpant
ing.
Thoba:“Weneedt
oshowerandgetgoi
ng
Aphiwe”
.
.
Hestandsandwalkst
ot hebathroom.Isitther
e
andwaitbuti
hearwaterrunni
ngandhei s
whist
li
ngsoistal
ktot
hebat hroom naked.Iget
i
ntheshowerandheturnsandl ooksatme
bi
ti
nghisbott
om li
pgroaning.

Hecomescloserandkissesme.Hishand
t
rav
elst
omycooki ejarandherubsmewhi l
e
we’
rest
il
lki
ssing.Heturnsmearoundand
makesmef acethewall
.Hekissesmedown
mynecktomyback.Hegr absmyass,smacks
andbi
teshardiscream.
 
Heopensmyl egsandhi
st onguegoestomy
cookiejar
.Hesucksmesohar difeelmyself
buil
ding.Heturnsmearoundandput smyl eg
onhisshoulder.Hecont
inueseati
ngmeout
groaning.

Thoba:“Youtast
egood.Dammi tyou
tast
e..
..
.mmmmmm”he’ sinsanelygoi
ngi
nand
outwithhi
stongue.
 
Thoba:“Aphiwe.
..
”hecal l
smebyi don’tgot
ti
met otal
k.Iwanttoenjoythis.Ineedto
rel
ease.Hesuddenlystop,openmyey esand
l
ookathi m.Hehast hi
sstupidgrinonhisface.
Thoba:“Goodneh.
..
?”heaskswi
ggl
i
nghi
s
eyebr
ows. 
Me:
“Shutupandf
ini
shwhaty
oust
art
ed”
 
Hepul l
edmybuttonanditmadethatpoppi
ng
sound.Imoaned.Iwasreal
lycl
osebuthe
stoppedagai
nigroanedandshouted.
Me:
“Fuuuuuck!
”iputmyhandsonmyf
ace.
Thoba:
“What’swr
ong?”heaskedashi
stongue
madewayinsi
deme.Imoanedagainnot
answer
ingandhest
ops.
Thoba:
“Whatdoy
ouwantAphi
we?
”hel
ooked
atme.
Me:
“Iwannacum.Pl
easeThoba.Pl
ease”
 
Thoba:
“Thisi
smycookieri
ght
?”hepul
l
edmy
butt
onli
ghl
tywi
thhi
steet
h.
Me:“Yes.Yes.Yes.Yes.It’
syours”inodded
countl
essti
mesandhewenti nforthekil
l.I
camesoobl oodyhardi wentdowntheshower
wallt
othefloor.Ir
eall
ydidblackout.Hepull
ed
met ohisl
apunt i
lical
meddown.

Wef
ini
shedt
aki
ngt
heshowerandwewentt
o
getdr
essed.
 
Igotacallfrom thehospi
talsay i
ngthatishould
gettothehospitalimmediately.It
oldThoba
andwef i
nishedwi thever
ythingandr ushedto
thehospit
al.Whenwegott hereDrTembewas
rushi
ngtoherwar dandhet oldustowai t.
 
Iwasgoi
ngoutofmymi
nd,
iwasamessandi
coul
dn’
tst
opcryi
ng.
Thoba:“She’
l
lpul
lthr
oughbaby
,ipr
omi
se”he
rubbedmyback.
Me:
“Howdoy
ouknowThoba?
” 
Thoba:“Shehast
ocomebackt
oyou.She’
l
lbe
okay”
 
Me:
“Youpr
omi
se?
” 
Thoba:
“Ipr
omi
sebaby
” 
.
.
Iputmyheadonhi
sshoul
der
sandhewr
apped
hi
sarmsar oundme.Idozedoffandi wokeup
l
ateronhislap.Myheadonhisshoulderandi
wassleepi
ngont opofhi
m.Isti
rredandhe
l
ookedatme.

Me:
“Hey
”myv
oicehoar
se.
Thoba:“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”heki
ssedmy
for
ehead.
Me:“WhatdidtheDrsay
?”i
tryget
ti
ngof
fhi
m
buthedoesn’
tletgo.
Thoba:
“DrTembehasn’
tbeenouty
et.
”
Inodded.Wesatt
hereforabout20mi
nut
es
andAmandacamer ushi
ngtous. 
Thoba:“Shecal
l
edandi
tol
dherwewer
eher
e.
Shehunguponmeandhereshei
s” 
Amy:
“Ohmygod!Igother
eassoonasicoul
d.
Howarey
ou?
”shepull
smei nf
orahug.
Me:
“I’
m okayAmy
.I’
m al
ri
ght
” 
Amy
:“Whathappened?When?Howdi
d..
.?
” 
Thoba:
“Okay
.That
’senough”Thobapul
l
edher
asi
de.
DrTembeappear
edandi
methi
m hal
fwaywi
th
ThobaandAmybehi
ndme.
Me:
“Dr
,whathappened?Cani
seeher
?” 
Thoba:“Issheokay
?”t
heDrl
ookedatusand
shookhishead.
DrTembe:
“I’
m sor
rybut
..
.

[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t31
.
Aphi
we
.
Myheadwasbuzzi
ng,
izonedouti
mmedi
atel
y.
Ireall
ycan’tbel
iev
ethatmygr andmaisgone.I
wascr ying,
ifel
ldownandi cr
iedsil
entl
y.Thoba
wasshaki ngmebuti j
ustcouldn’
tfocuson
anything.Hekeptshout
ingmynameunt i
li
heardhi m.
Thoba:
“Justbr
eat
he.Br
eat
hebabe.I
’
m her
e”
Me:
“She’
sgone.Thobashe’
sgone”
 
Thoba:“Nobabeshe’
snot.She’
sal
iv
ebut
barel
yhangi
ngon.Honeysheneedst
osee
you” 
Me:“She’
sokay?”iaskedgett
ingupgoi
ngt
o
DrTembe.Poorguylookedhorri
fi
ed.
Me:
“Takemet
oher
.Pl
ease”
 
DrTembe:
“Thi
swaypl
easef
oll
owme”
 
If
oll
owedbehindandi
r eal
isedt
hatThoba
wasn’
tfol
l
owingme.Iturnedandlookedathi
m.
Me:
“Ar
en’
tyoucomi
ng?
” 
Thoba:
“Shewant
stoseey
oual
one.Go.I
’
llbe
r
ighther
e” 
Iturnedar oundandrushedt ohim.Hepull
ed
mei nf orahug.It’
sfunnyhey ,ihav
en’
tknown
thi
sguyf orlongbutialr
eadyr el
yonhimfor
everything.He’smystrengthandi wantt
obe
aroundhi m asmuchasi could. 
Ihughim andinhal
e,hechuckl
esandpul
lme
outofhi
sar ms.
Thoba:“Go.MaSishi
iswai
ti
ngf oryou”he
ki
ssedmev erydeepl
ybutf
orlessthana
minut
e.
It
urnandgotoDrTembewhohasthi
sstupi
d
smil
eonhisf
ace.Wewalkt
ogransward.
DrTembe:
“Your
eal
l
ylov
ehi
m?”
 
Me:“Who?”ij
ustdeci
dedtoactdumbbecause
whathe’
saski
ngmei snonofhi
sbusi
ness.
DrTembe:
“Yourboy
fri
end”
 
Me:
“Yeahsure”i
guesshesawt
hati
am noti
n
t
hemoodforsmallt
alks.
 
Wef i
nall
yreachedgr amsward.Shewasina
newwar d,i
thadonl y4peopl
eandt heyl
ooked
real
l
yill
.Isawgr andmaandshet ur
nedtolook
atme.
Shelookedsooldandfrail
,icoul
dn’tbel
iev
e
thatshewasinthi
sbed.She’salway sbeen
healt
hy.Ir
ushedtoherandhel dherhand.It
wassocol d,
shesmil
edf ai
ntlyandmademesi t
tolookather.
Gr
amps:
“Iam sosor
rybaby
” 
Me:
“It
’sokaygr
andma.Youscar
edme”
 
Gramps:“It
’snotokay
.Ishoul
dhav
etol
dyou
t
hislongago”

Me:“It
’sokaygr
ams.We’
l
ltal
ktomor
row,
when
youhaverest
ed”
 
Gr
amps:
“No!Idon’
thav
emucht
ime.
” 
Me:
“Nogogopl
easedon’
tspeakl
i
ket
hat
” 
Gramps:“I
t’
strue.Ineedtot
ell
yousomet
hing.
Somethi
ngveryimportant
”
Me:“Aft
ert
hisy
oupr
omi
set
orest
?”she
nodded.
Gramps:“17YEARSAGO,IWASAMAI D.
WORKI NGFORTHISLOVELYCOUPLE,
NOBUHLEANDNI CHOLASMI LLER.THEYHAD
2DAUGHTERS.AYEARLATERTHEYRANI NTO
SOMETROUBLETHATWASGOI NGTOOUT
THEIRDAUGHTERSINDANGERSOTHEY
DECIDEDTOSKIPTHECOUNTRYANDHI DE
THEKIDS.THEYLEFTMEWI THALARGESUM
OFMONEYTOTAKECAREOFYOUBUT
I
NSTEADIUSEDTHATMONEYFORMYOWN
PERSONALUSE” 
Me:
“Whatar
eyousay
inggr
andma?
” 
Gramps: “I’
m noty ourgrandmother.Your
parentsarealive,
theyhav ebeenont herunf
or
16y ears.Theywoul dgiv
emeov erR50000
mont hl
yt otakecareofy oubut.
..
”
Me:“Soiwouldst
arv
eforday
sbutmypat
ent
s
gav
ey oumoney?”
Gr
amps:
“Pl
easeunder
standt
hati
..
.”
 
Me:“Understandwhat
?Howsel
fi
shy
ouar
e?
Whatdi
di everdotoyou?
” 
Gr
amps:“Youwereaburdentomebutthe
moneywasgoodsoikeptyou.Iev
enf
elli
nlov
e
wi
thyou,
lov
edyouasmyown”
Me:“Soal
lthi
sti
mei
wasameal
tickett
o
you?
” 
Gramps:
“NoAphi
we,
ilov
eyou”i
shookmy
headl
aughi
ng.
Me:
“Wher
ear
ethey
?”shef
acedt
heot
herway
.
Me:
“Wher
ear
etheymaSi
shi
?”
Gr
amps:
“Who?
” 
Me:
“Mypar
ent
s.Iwantt
oseet
hem”
 
Gr
amps:
“You’
l
lseet
hem soon.
” 
Me:
“Don’
tgi
vemet
hatpl
easegogo”
 
Gr
amps:
“Doy
ouf
orgi
veme?
” 
Me:
“Idon’
tthi
nki
wil
ldot
hatasy
et.Ineed.
..
”
Gramps:“Aphi
wei
don’
thav
eenought
ime.I
canfeel
it.
”
Me:
“Wel
lresti
npeace”
Istoodupandwalkedt
othedoorbutt
urned
aroundandwentbackt
oher.

Me:
“Whyar
eyouher
e?”
Gr
amps:
“Huh?
” 
Me:
“Whyar
eyoui
nhospi
tal
?” 
Gramps:“Ihadastr
oke”i
ndeedherl
eftsi
de
wasshakingalot
.
Me:“Whatcausedt
hest
roke?Andpl
easedon’
t
l
ie”
 
Gramps:
“Yourpar
entswantmet
opayback
t
hemoneyortheywil
lki
l
lme”
Me:
“Okay
” 
Iturnedandwal kedtothedoor.Wheni t
urned
tolookatGr amps,shewasf acingt
heother
way .Iwalkedoutandwenttot hewait
ingarea.
Thobast oodupqui ckl
yandpulledmeinhis
armsi justbrokedown. 
Icr
iedandAmandawast
her
etoobutwewer
e
i
nterr
upt
edbyDrTembe.
DrTembe:
“Mi
ssSi
shi
?”
Me:
“Yes?
”it
urnedandl
ookedathi
m.
DrTembe::
Iam sor
ryf
ory
oul
oss”myhear
t
ski
ppedabeat
. 
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?” 
DrTembe:“Themi
nuteyouwalkedoutoft
he
room y
ourgr
andmot
herdied.
..
.”
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t33
.
Aphi
we
.
Iwasn’ tcryi
ngbecauseofgrandma’sdeat hor
anything.Iwascr yi
ngbecauseihavepar ents
andt heydon’twantme.Ididn’twanttogi ve
them bur i
almoneybecauseMaggi ehasbeen
mi l
ki
ngmoneyf r
om mysocalledparents, hel
li
didn’
thav eacenti nmynamebutThobaj ust
decidedt ostickhi
snoseinmybusi ness. 
Thoba:
“Aphiwe,youneedt
ostopdoingt
histo
your
sel
f”-heknel
tbesi
demeandreachedfor
me.
Me:
“Why
..
.why
..
.why
 di
dyoudot
hat
?” 
Thoba:
“Whydi
didowhat
?” 
Me:
“Whydi
dyouof
fert
ogi
vet
hem money
?” 
Thoba:
“Idi
ditf
ory
ou.I
..
.”
 
Me:
“I’
m notsomechar
it
ycase.Idon’
twantnor
needyourhel
p”i
snappedandhepul
l
edback
shocked.
 
Thoba:
“I’
m sor
ryi
fiov
erst
eppedbut
..
.”
 
Me:“Yesyoudidover
step,nextt
imey
ou
deci
detobut
tintomybusinessaskme”

Ist
andandwal ktothesi nkt
owasht hedishes.
Thekit
chenisn’tr
eallycl
eanbutt herestofthe
houseisveryneatandclean.Istartt
idingup
whil
efi
lli
ngthesinkwi t
hwarm wat erandsoap.
Thobacomesandst andsnexttome.Hel ooks
atmewei rdl
y.
Thoba:
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
” 
Me:
“Myj
ob”i
repl
ywashi
ngt
hedi
shes.
Thoba:
“Iwi
l
lgett
hem donej
ustgoandr
est
.”
 
Me:“Whyam i
her
eThoba?
”it
urnar
oundand
l
ookathi
m.
Thoba:
“Idon’
tunder
standy
ourquest
ion
Aphi
we”heanswer
sinav
eryshar
ptone.
Me:
“Whyam i
her
e,i
nyourhouse,
ever
yday
?” 
Thoba:
“You’
remygi
rlandi
lov
eyou.Iwant
..
.”
 
Me:
“WrongMrEvans.I
’mj
ustamaid.I
’
m her
e
t
oworksocani
pleasedomyjob?
” 
Thoba:
“Aphi
wei
don’
tunder
standwhat
’s
goi
ngon.”
Me: “Yout hr
owi ngmoneyaway ,
youwantto
givethosepeopl emoney.Howam i goi
ngto
repayyou?Huh?Icanonl yoffermybodytoyou
becausei don’thaveany
thingtooff
eryou”
 
.
.
Thoba:“Aphi
we.
.”Hest
umbl
esbackand
whisper
s,t
earsr
oll
i
ngdownhi
sface.
Thoba:“I
sthatwhatyouthi
nkofme,t
hatiam
somemonst erwhowantstosl
eepwi
thyouand
l
eave?Iam thatdi
sgust
ingt
oyouAphi
we?” 
Thewayhe’stalki
ngandcryi
ngri
ghtnow
breaksmyheartandiknowthatimadeahuge
mistakesay
ingallt
hosethi
ngstohi
m.
Me:
“Thobai
.
..”
 
Thoba:
“Youhatemet hatmuch?Aphiwehow
coul
dyousaythataboutme,aboutus,what
we’r
etr
yingt
obuild”
 
Me:“Thobaitwas.
..
”ican’
tgetawordi
n.He
won’
tletmespeak.Helookssosad,
hur
tand
di
sappoint
ed.
Thoba:“Ionl ysaidi wi l
lgivethem themoney
foryoupeaceofmi nd.Asmuchasy ouare
angrywithy ourgr andmot her,knowingthatshe
wasn’tburiedpr operlywasgoi ngtohaunty ou
fortherestofy ourl i
fesot hatiswhyi off
ered
plusiwant edtot akesomel oadof fyou.Not
becausei am buy ingy ou,notbecausei wanna
sleepwithy oubutbecauseIl ov eyouAphiwe
andi wantt obewi t
hy ou”
Ifeelsoguil
tyr
ightnow.Idon’
tevenknowwhat
tosay ,
i’
m soashamed.Iplaywit
hmyhands
andlookdownt hefloor
.Hishandgoesonmy
chinandhemakesmel ookathim.Hisey
esful
l
oftears.
Thoba:“Myparentsarecomi
ng.Theyareon
thei
rway.Theyarecomingwi
thustotakethe
moneytoy ourf
amily
.Gogetready
” 
Me:“I
’m sosor
..
..
”heshakeshi
sheadandi
st
optal
king.
Thoba:“We’
llt
alkl
ater
”hekissesmycheek
andtakesov
erwashingthedishes.
Il
eavetheki
tchenandwal kupstair
stomy
bedr
oom.Igett hereandsi
tont hebed.Iget
l
osti
nmyt hought sonhowi spoketoThoba
andhowi r
uinedt hi
ngsbet
weenus.Iwasst il
l
l
osti
nmyt hought swhenhismot herwal
kedin
andcametosi tnexttome.
Thoba’
smom:
“Heybaby
.Howar
eyouhol
ding
up?”
 
Me:
“Idon’
tknow.Badthi
ngskeephappeni
ng.
I
’mj
ustr
uini
ngever
ythi
ng”
T’
sMom:
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?”
Me:“Myf ami l
ywantsburi
almoney.R50000
andThobaof feredt
ohelpbutiblewhim of
f.I
tol
dhimi’m notachari
tycase.Isai
dsome
pret
tynastythingst
ohim andi’
m sorr
y”
T’
smom:
“Di
dyout
ryt
ospeakt
ohi
m?”
 
Me:
“Yesbuti
twast
ool
ate”
T’smom: “Letmetel
lyousomet
hingaboutmy
son.Heli
keshelpi
ngpeopl
eandheneverasks
forany
thi
ng.Hehasagoodheartandheloves
youdeepl
yAphiwe.”
Me:
“Okay
,thanky
ou”
T’
smom: “Aphi
wet
akecar
eofmysonand
gr
anddaught
er”
 
Me:
“Iwi
l
ldot
hat
” 
T’
smom:
“Let
’sgodownst
air
s.Weneedt
oget
goi
ng”
Me:
“Okayl
etmechange,
i’
ll
ber
ightdown”
.
.
Iquicklywenttotheshowerandwentbackt o
myr oom.Iloti
onedandwor emynav yvel
vet
kneelengthdressandmybl ackankleboots.I
wentdownst ai
rsandfoundThobawi t
hhis
parents.Hehadchangedtocr eam chinosanda
l
ightbluesli
mf i
tshir
t.
Iam nervous,iwanttotalktohim and
apol
ogize.Hisparentsstandsupandt ell
sus
wewi l
lfi
ndt hem i
nthecar .Iwal
kslowlytohi
m
andisitnexttohim.Hei sstari
ngintospace.
Me:“Thobai’
m sorr
yforsay
ingal
lthose
hor
ri
blethi
ngstoyou.I
..
.”
Thoba:“I
t’
sokayAphiwe.Iunder
stand.I’
l
lback
offandgivey
ouy ourspace.
”Myjawdr opsand
hestandsupwithhisphoneandwal l
et.
Me:“Thobapl
ease.Iam v
erysor
ry.Pl
ease
don’
tleav
eme.Don’tgi
veuponus.”
Thoba:“I
’
m notgi
vi
ngup.Justgi
vingyout
ime
to.
.”i
don’
tevenwaitf
orhi
mt ofi
nish.
Me:“Ineedyoupl
easedon’
tleav
e”t
ear
sar
e
f
all
i
ngf r
om myeyes.
Thoba:“Iwon’
tleave...
.y
ou.Iwon’tleav
ey ou.
”
Hekeptrepeat
ingthosewor dswithmei nhis
arms.Weheldeachot herunti
lthecarhooted.
Webr oket
hehugandThobachuckl ed.
Thoba:
“Let
’sgobef
oret
heycomebacki
n”
Wewentout
sideandgoti
nthebackseatoft
he
car
.
T’
sdad:
“Wher
ear
eweheaded?
” 
Me: “NdwedweUmsunduzi ”iqui
ckl
ysay.My
handsareshakingandThobaputshishandon
topofmine.Ilookathi
m andhemout hs”r
elax”
inodandlookahead.Iam verynerv
ous.I
’m not
readytoseethosepeopl
e..
..
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t32

.
Thoba

.
.
Aphi
wehasbeendistantsi
ncehergr andmother
di
ed2daysago.SheonlytalkstoAmandaand
me,shedoesn’
twanttospeaktomey etshe
sl
eepsinmyarmscryingeverynight
.
Ihavedeci
dedt oletherbeunti
lshe’sreadyto
tal
ktome.Ilov eherhey.Il
oveherverymuch
andsheisadr eam comet r
ue.Sheisev er
ythi
ng
ihavebeenlookingforandmore.Insanesense
ofhumorandshel ov
esmydaught erplusmy
familyl
ovesher
.Itbr
eaksmyhear
ttoseeher
brokenli
kethat
,iwanthert
obeal
wayshappy.
Iwentt
oourbedroom andi
foundherinbed,
cr
yingl
i
keshealwaysdoestheseday
s.
Me:
“Baby
” 
(
Sil
ence)
Me:
“Baby
,pl
easet
alkt
ome”
“
(si
l
ence)
” 
Me:“Iknowyou’
rehur
tabout
..
..
”sheshookher
headandist
oppedtal
ki
ng.
 
Me:
“Whati
sit
?”
Aphiwe:
“Icall
edmaSishi’
sdaughter.I
’m not
evengoi
ngtoattendt
hef uner
al”hervoi
cewas
hoarsef
rom al
lthecr
ying.
Me:
“What
?Why
?” 
Aphiwe:
“I’
m notwel
comedandi
don’
twantt
o
go” 
Me:
“Whybaby
?”i
scoopedcl
osert
oherand
pull
edhert
ome.Forthef
ir
stt
imein2day sshe
canetomyarmswit
houtanyr
esi
stance.
Aphiwe:“Thobai gr
ewupwi t
houtparents.My
grandmawasamai dyetiwentt othebest
schoolsther
eisbutduri
ngt heholi
dayswheni
wenthomei wasthepoorestofthem all
.I
wouldgot obedwi t
honlywaterandalone.I
wasonl yhappywhengrandmawashome
becauseshewoul dbri
ngmet hatl
it
tl
efoodt hat
shegotf r
om work” 
Me:“I’
m sor
ryt
oheart
hat
.I.
..
”shehel
dupher
handsi
gnall
i
ngmetokeepquiet
.
Aphiwe:“Iwast heri
chestkidinschool.Ever
y
ti
mewheni wentbacktoboar dinghouseI’d
havelot
soff oodandbr andnewcl othes,
very
expensi
veclothesyetmygr andmot herwas
str
uggli
ngbutt hatwasallali
e.”
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Aphi
we: “I
twasallali
e.Theyli
edtomeand
i
..
.i
..
.”shebrokedownandcried.It
ri
edt
ohol
d
herbutshedi
dn’
tletme.
Aphi
we:
“No,
ineedt
otal
kaboutt
his”
.
.

Me:
“Takey
ourt
imebaby
”iki
ssedherf
inger
s.
Aphi
we:
“Myparent
sareal
i
veandMaggi
eSi
shi
i
snotmygr
andmother
” 
Me:
“What
?Howcome?
” 
Aphiwe:“Mypar ent
slef
twheni was2y ears
ol
d.Theyleftmewi thmaSishit
olookafterme
becausethewere“ i
ndanger”sotheyhadto
l
eaveusbehi nd”
 
Me:
“us?
”
Aphiwe:“Ohididn’
ttel
lyou,ihaveasi
ster
”
tearsweref
all
ingdownherf aceall
thi
sti
me
thatshewastalki
ng.If
eltverybad.
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouneed?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Hmmm?
”shet
urnedandl
ookedat
me.
Me:
“Whatdoy
ouneedf
rom me?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Pl
easehol
dme”
 
Assoonasi pull
edherinmyar
msshel etital
l
out
.Shecriedsohar dandsobadithur
tdeepi n
mysoul.Ididn’twanthert
ohur
tanymor e.I
wantedhertobeokay .
Me:
“Babypl
easedon’
tcr
y.You’
rehur
ti
ngme
myl
ove”
Shequi
eteneddownal i
ttl
ebutaf
tersometi
me
shewai
led.Ij
ustcoul
dn’thel
pbutcryaswel
l.
 
Me:
“Babypl
ease.
..
” 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m..
..
I’
m..
.sor
ryi
..
..
” 
Me:
“Don’
tapol
ogi
ze”
 
Ihel
dherforalongti
me,ieventhoughtthat
shewassleepi
ngbecausewheni tr
iedtomov e
butshehel
dmet ight
lyi
chuckled.
Aphi
we:
“Don’
tgo”
 
Me:
“I’
mjustgoi
ngt
omakey
ouf
ood”
 
Aphi
we:
“Notnow.Lat
er”
 
Me:
“NoAphi
we.Youwi
l
leatnow.
” 
Befor
eicoul
devengetoutofbedherphone
rangandsheputi
tonspeaker
.
Aphi
we:
“Hel
l
o?”
 
Woman: “Nyenyonyenyo,uhl
ezi.
aphot
hina
asnal
uthola(You’r
esit
ingther
ebutwedon’t
haveanythi
nghere)”
 
Aphi
we:“AuntSt
he,
ngi
ngakwenzel
ani
(What
canidofory
ou?”
 
Sthe:
“Sifunaimal
iyokuncwabangi
thiubul
ele
umawet hu(Wewantbur ial
money.Youkil
led
ourmother” 
Aphi
we:
“Ngzoy
thathaphii
mali
engaka(Wher
e
am i
goi
ngt
ogetthatkindofmoney?)
” 
.
.

Sthe:“Angazif
uthianginandabaoksal
ayo
ngfunaimali
.(Idon’tknowandi don’
tcar
e.I
j
ustwantmoney )” 
Aphi
we:“Angi
nayol
eyomal
i(Idonothav
ethat
ki
ndofmoney)”
 
Sthe:“Yeywenaskebereshe,mahwami
ukondleiminyakamanjewenausuwenzanj
e
(Heyy ouslut
, mymothertookcar
eofyouf
or
daysandt hi
sishowy ourepayme?” 
Aphi
we:“Ohi
sinqamuki
l
eimal
i(Younol
onger
gett
hemoney
)” 
Sthe:“Haibo.
..ukhul
umangani
(Whatar
eyou
tal
kingabout?)”shewasmumbli
ngandi
decidedtostepin.
Me:Howmuchdoy
ouneed?
”Aphi
we’
sey
es
wi
dened.
St
he:
“Ungubani
wena(Whoar
eyou?
)” 
Me: “Howmuchdoyouneed?”Aphi
wetr
iedt
o
speakbuti
indi
cat
edforhert
okeepqui
et.
St
he:
“R40000.
”
Aphi
we:
“That
’sr
idi
cul
ousl
ytoo.
..
” 
Me:“We’
l
lbr
ingi
tlat
ert
oday
”iendedt
hecal
l
.
Aphi
wewasfumi
ng.
Aphi
we:
“Whatt
hehel
l
?” 
Me:
“What
?” 
Aphi
we:
“Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?” 
Me:“Ithadtobedoneandwewon’ tar
gue
aboutthi
s”i
quickl
ysaidthatbecausethati
s
wherewewer eheaded.
Aphi
we:
“Fi
ne.You’
l
lgoal
onet
othatpl
ace”
 
Me:
“We’
l
lgowi
thy
ou”
 
Aphiwe:“We’l
lsee”shegotoffthebedand
walkedoutofthebedroom bangingt
hedoor
behindher
.
It
ookoutmyphoneandcal
l
edmymot
her
.She
wasgoi
ngtotal
ksomesenseint
oAphi
we,
mom pi
ckedupaft
ert
he3rdri
ng.
Mom:
“Baby
?” 
Me:
“Pl
easecomemom,
ineedy
ou”
 
Mom:
“Why
,whathappened?
” 
Me: “I
t’
sAphiwemom.She’snottaki
ngher
grandmother
’spassi
ngv
erywell
.Ineedyou
here” 
Mom: “I
’
m onmyway
”ihungupandsatont
he
bed.
Iunderst
andAphiweisangryandhurtbut
maSishiwasgreedyyesbutshedidrai
seher.I
gotupf r
om bedandwenttolookforher.I
foundheronthekit
chenfl
oor,cr
ying.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t34
.
Aphi
we
.
 
Ifeelreall
ybadabouthowi spoket
oThoba,he
saysit’sokaybuthe’
snott alki
ngmuch.Weare
onourwayt omaSi
shi’
shouse, myhandinhi
s.
Hekeepsbr ushi
nghisthumbont opofmyhand,
he’slookingoutthewindow.Wheni star
eat
him het urnsandsmil
esatme.  
Me:
“Thoba?
” 
Thoba:
“Hmmm?
”Hedoesn’
tev
enl
ookatme.
 
Me:
“I’
mreal
l
ysor
ry”het
urnst
olookatme.
Thoba:
“It
’sr
eal
l
yokay
.” 
Me:“See?It
’snotokay
.”Isaywi
tht
ear
s
t
hreat
eningtofal
l
.
Thoba:
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?” 
Me:“Youdon’
twantt
olookatmeandy
ou’
re
notcal
l
ingmebabyoryourl
ove”
 
Hechuckl
edandpul
l
edmet
ohi
m ki
ssi
ngmy
f
oreheadcount
lesst
imes.
.
Thoba:
“I’m sor
rybaby
.It
’sj
ustt
hati
hav
eal
ot
onmymi nd” 
Me:“What’
sony
ourmind?Talkt
ome,pl
ease”i
pl
eadwit
hmyeyesaswellwhenhel
ooksatme.
Thoba:
“I’
m wor
ri
edabouty
ou.I
’
m..
.”
 
Me:
“I’
mfi
ne”i
saycut
ti
nghi
m of
f.
Thoba:
“Nol ist
entome.I ’
m worr
iedabouthow
theywi
llt
reatyou.I’
m worri
edabouthowyou’l
l
beonceyousetf ootther
e” 
Ohmygoodness,wher
edidthi
smancome
fr
om?Iam nowcryi
ngbecausehei
sal
way
s
t
hinki
ngaboutmywell
being.
T’smom:“Aphi
wehoney,
areyouokay
?”she
askswi
thaconcer
nedvoi
ce.
Me:“I’
m okay
.Iknowit’
sweirdt
osayt
hisbuti
am happy
”Thobajustchuckl
ed.
T’
smom:
“You’
rehappyy
ourgr
andmot
heri
s
dead?
” 
Me:
“I’
m happy
,yoursonmakesmehappy
” 
WegettoVerul
am andgointoShopr
it
etogeta
“
few”thi
ngsbutwhenwecomeoutanhour
l
aterwehave2ful
ltr
oll
eys.
 
Me:
“Youdi
dn’
thav
etodot
his”
 
T’smom:“Honeywearenotdoi
ngthi
sfor
them,wearedoi
ngthi
sfory
outoshowthatwe
areher
eforyoual
ways” 
Me:
“Thanky
ou”i
saywi
pingmyt
ear
s.

Wegoti nsi
dethecarandThobai sdriving,hi
s
dadnextt ohim.MeandMr sEv ansaresi t
ti
ng
attheback.WegopastAuckl andsupt ill
Oakford.ThatiswhenThobaasksmef or
dir
ections.Iam anervouswr eck.Idirecthim as
west artthegravel
roadupt i
llwef ini
shi t
.We
gettot hehouseandThobapar ksr i
ghtinside
theyard.Mr sEvansjustsobs.Herhusband
get
soutt
hecarandpul
l
sherout
. 
Thefamil
yisnowst
andingout
sidel
ooki
ngat
thi
scar,
mindyouThobaandiarest
il
li
nthecar
.
Me:
“Whyi
syourmot
hercr
ying?
” 
Thoba:
“Ist
hiswher
eyouusedt
oli
ve?
” 
Me:
“Yep,
iusedt
oli
veher
e.Mostday
sal
one”
 
Thoba:
“Wowandshewoul dspendal
lthe
moneyinst
eadofbui
l
dingahouse”
 
Hef ur
iouslyopenedthedoorandst eppedout
ofthecar.Mycousi nsnearl
yfai
nted.Nowguy s
yougot t
aknowt hatThobaissuperhandsome
wit
habodyf ordaaays.Iwantedtolaughbuti
keptquiet.Thobaroundedandcamet omyside
ofthedoorandopenedf orme.Thedr ama
j
esus! 
AuntSthe,Pri
mi andthei
rdaughterexcl
aimed
andshoutedwi t
ht hei
rhandsontheirheads.
Thoba’
spar ent
sl edtheway.Theymov edint
o
thehouseandwegoti n.
Itwassodirt
y,withpl
ast
icchai
rs.Youseei
l
ivedhereall
myl i
feandiam onl
yseeingnow
thatthi
sisnoplacetol
iv
eahumanbei ng,
let
aloneachil
d.
T’
sdad:“Goodaf
ter
noon.Wehear
daboutthe
passi
ngofMrsSi
shiandwecametoof
ferour
condol
ences”
 
AuntSt
he:
“Wedon’
tneedt
hatshi
t.Weneed
money”
 
Pr
imi
:“St
he,
stopi
t!
” 
AuntSt
he:“Pri
mistop!Thi
sbit
chcametogi
ve
usmoney.That
’swhyshe’sher
e.Shenev
er
car
edforourmother”
 
Me:
“That
’snott
rue”
 
St
he:
“Shutupbi
tch!Shutup!
” 
Thoba:
“Don’
tfucki
ncallhert
hat.I
fyouwant
thi
smoneyyoubett
ershutthehell
uporwe
l
eave”
Pr
imi
:“Pl
easeSt
he.Youknowweneedt
he
moneysopl
easekeepqui
et”
 
Sthe:“Sheki
l
ledourmotherPr i
mr ose.She
ki
lledourmother
”shedramatical
lystarttocry
andherdaughterf
oll
owsbehind.Thi sisjust
getti
ngtomuch,iam cr
yingandr unningoutof
breath.

Thoba:“Comewit
hme”het
akesmyhand
st
andingupwit
hme.
Me:
“Noi
wantt
o..
.”
 
T’
sdad:“Gowi
thhi
m Aphi
we.We’
l
ltakei
tfr
om
her
e” 
West andup,headi
ngout
side.Nal
edi
,Pr
imi
’
s
daughterf
oll
owsbehindus.
Nal
edi
:“Phi
we”
 
Me:“Ledi
”wehugeachot
herf
ort
hel
ongest
t
imecryi
ng.
Ledi
:“I
’
m gl
ady
ou’
reokaycuz.Gi
vemey
our
number
.Iwi
l
lcal
l
” 
Igiv
ehermynumberandsherushesbacki
n.
Thobaleadsmet
othecarandopenstheback
seat.Hegiv
esmebot
tl
edwaterandholdme.
Me:
“Thobawhycan’
tibehappy
?” 
Thoba:“Babyt
hisist
hel
astt
imey oucr
yorsad.
From nowonyou’l
lal
way
ssmile”
 
Me:
“Youpr
omi
se”
 
Thoba:“I
’
m gonnamakeyousohappyt
hat
you’
ll
wanttomarryme”
 
Me:
“Haha,
ver
yfunny
” 
Thoba:“I
’
m gonnamakey
ouhappyPhi
we”i
smil
e.HetookLedi
’
sname.
Wesitt
herei
nthecarf
orabout30minut
es.I
’m
wonder
ingwhathi
spar
entsaretal
ki
ngabout
wi
thmyf ami
ly
. 
Me:
“Doy
ouknowwhat
’shappeni
ngi
nsi
de?
” 
Thoba:
“I’
m her
ewi
thy
ou”hechuckl
es.
 
5mi nutesl
aterwehearal oudwailandThoba’
s
parentsemergef r
om thehouseandmar chto
thecar.MrEv ansopensforhiswif
eandhe
comest ohissideanddrivesaway.I’
mt oo
scaredtoaskbutaf t
er20mi nut
esi hav
etoask.
Me:
“Whathappenedi
nther
e?”
 
T’
smom:
“Not
hingy
oushoul
dwor
ryabout
.”
 
Withthatshet
urnsupthecarvolumeandwe
set
tleinthi
speacef
ulsil
encewit
hmei n
Thoba’sarmsunti
lidozeoff
.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t35
.
Thoba
.
Thel
astfewdayshavebeenhar
donmybaby ,
shewasn’
tal
lowedtogotothef
uner
al.Iasked
myparentswhattheysaidtoAphiwe’
sfamily
,
t
heysaidit’
snothi
ngtowor r
yabout.Theysai
d
t
heywillneverbot
herheragain.
 
Aphiwehasbeencoopedupi nourbedr
oom f or
days.Shewantstocar r
yonwi t
hherduti
esbuti
tol
dhertoleavethingsbe.Sheisst
ubbornbuti
l
oveherany ways.Moreeachandev er
yday .I
t
wasTuesdaymor ni
ngandi hadtogotowor k.I
wokeupandwentt otakeashower.Aphiwe
wokeupwi thmet opreparemywor kcl
othes. 
Igotoutoftheshowerandwenttot he
bedroom.IfoundAphiweonthefloorandshe
wascr y
ing.Shehasbeenmakingpr ogress
l
atel
ybutnowshe’ sbacktocr
ying.It’
sreally
heartbreaki
ng.Iwentov
ertoherandpul ledher
tobedwi thme.Mindyouiwasjustinmyt owel
.
Me:
“Tal
ktomebaby
,pl
ease”
 
Aphi
we:
“Ihav
enoone”
 
Me:“Whatdoy
oumeany
ouhav
enoone
Aphi
we?”
Aphi
we:
“I’
m al
lal
oneandi
thur
ts”
 
Me:
“Aphi
wewhatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
Aphiwe:“Myparentsdon’
twantme.Idon’
t
haveafamil
y,ihavenothi
ngonmyname.I..
.”
 
Me:“St
oprightt
here,
Howmanyt
imesmusti
t
elly
outhatIl
oveyouandi
wantt
obewit
h
you?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Igetthat,
iunderst
andt
hatyoulov
e
mebutidon’
thaveanyt
hingtogi
veyou.
” 
Me: “Whosaidi wantedanythi
ngf r
om y ou.
Aphiwei l
oveyouandwheni sayi wanttobe
wit
hy ouimeant hatiwantyouher e,withme.
Allt
hetime,al
way s.Iwanttomar ryyou,have
ki
ds.ForSteff
itocallyoumom.Iwanty outo
succeedandmosti mportantl
yi wanty outobe
happy.Idon’
tcarethatyouhav enothing,ihav
e
enoughtolastusal i
feti
me.All iwantandneed
i
sy oubymysi de.That’
salliwant.” 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m sor
ry.Ij
ust
..
” 
Me:“Iunderstandbaby
,ireal
l
ydobuti need
youtotrustme.Ineedyoutotrustt
hatwewill
work.Okay?”
 
Aphi
we:
“Okay
”shesai
dnoddi
ng.
Me:
“Il
ovey
ouPhi
we”
 
Aphi
we:“Il
ovey
out
ooSabel
o”shesai
dand
gi
ggl
ed.
Me:
“Whot
hehel
ltol
dyout
hatname?
” 
Aphiwe:“Isawy ourI
D”shel
aughedand
coveredherface.
.
.
Ij
ustsmiledandlookedather .Shewasr
eal
l
y
beauti
ful
.Shelaughedandt henshesawme
l
ookingatherandst opped.
Aphi
we:
“Whyar
eyoubei
ngwei
rd?
” 
Me:
“I’
m notbei
ngwei
rd”
Aphi
we:
“Youar
e..
you.
..
”
Shedidn’
tevenfini
shhersentencebecausei
j
ustreachedoverandkissedher.Thekisswas
sodeepandsoi ntensethati
feltmysel
fharden
i
nstantl
ysoipull
edback.
Aphi
we:
“Whyhav
en’
twebeeni
nti
mat
ethese
l
astf
ewday
s?”
 
Me:
“Wehav
e.Wesl
eept
oget
herdon’
twe?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Yesbut
..
.”
Me:
“Weal
sosl
eepnaked,
don’
twe?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Yesand.
..
” 
Me:
“Pl
usy
ou’
renotr
eady
,ri
ght
?” 
Aphi
we:
“Wel
lyeah,
i’
m notr
eadybut
..
.”
Me:“SoI’
m nott
ouchi
ngy
ouunt
ily
ou’
re
r
eady.
” 
Aphi
we:
“Okay
.I’
mready
” 
Ijustl
aughedandgotof
fthebed.Il
ookedat
thetimeandiwasalr
eadylat
esoi t
ookoutmy
phoneandcall
edMpilo,
oneofmyi nt
erns.
Mpi
l
o:“Mor
ningDoc,
your
unni
ngl
ate?
” 
Me:“Actual
lynoMpil
o,iam notcomi
ngit
t
oday.Iwil
lextendmyl
eaventwanaitl
ooksl
i
ke
you’
rest
il
lgonnabepaiddouble.
”
Mpi
l
o:“Doubl
ethepay
?”
Me:“Actuall
yno.I
t’
syouri
nter
nsal
aryandmy
f
ull
salar
y ”
 
Mpi
l
o:“Real
l
yDoc,
arey
ouser
ious?
”
Me:“Yes,i
’m ser
ious.
”Ichuckl
ed.Icoul
dhear
howexcit
edhewas.  
Iwaslooki
ngatmywomant hi
swholeti
me.She
wassobeautif
ulandiwantedtoprot
ectheral
l
thet
ime.Iendedthecal
lwithMpil
oandputon
mypyjamapants.Iwentbacktobedandpull
ed
Aphi
wet ome.
Me:“I
’
m notgoingt
owor
k.Whatshoul
dwedo
wi
thoursel
ves?
” 
Aphiwe:“Gof
etchSt
eff
iandmaket
hemostof
today”
 
Me:
“Okaycome.Let
’sgohav
ebr
eakf
ast
”
.
.
Wewentdownst airsandmadebr eakf
ast
t
ogether
.Afterbreakfastwecl
eanedupand
wenttogetdressed.
Wegotourt hi
ngsandwenttoAmanda’splace.
Onthewaywewer etal
kingandjoki
ngaround,
suddenl
ysheaskedthequesti
onthati
have
beenprayi
ngshedoesn’
task.
Aphi
we:“Whatdoy
out
hinky
ourpar
ent
ssai
d
tomyfami
ly
?” 
Me:“Honest
lybaby
,idon’
tknow.Ir
eal
l
ydon’
t
know”
 
Aphi
we:
“Hav
eyouper
hapst
ri
edt
ofi
ndout
?” 
Me:“Yesbabyidid.Ij
ustwanty
outomov eon
fr
om ever
ythi
ng,
okay ?
”iki
ssedthebackofher
hand.
Aphi
we:
“Okay
”shesai
dsof
tl
yandi
fel
tver
y
bad.
 
Idecidedt
otakeadet
ourandqui
ckl
ygot
othe
off
ice. 
Aphi
we:
“Ar
en’
twegoi
ngt
oAmanda’
spl
ace?
” 
Me:“Weare,ij
ustneedt
otakecar
eofaf
ew
t
hingsatwor
k” 
Idrov
etowor kandtookhertomyof fi
cewith
me.Wegoti nandNomzamol ookedatus.
JesusChr
istifor
gotabouther.Ireal
l
ydid.
Nomzamo:
“Oht
hankGodThoba.I
..
.”
 
Me:
“DrEv
ans”
 
Nomzamo:
“Ohy
es,
DrEv
ans.Ihav
ebeen
cal
l
ingy
ou”
 
Me:
“Ihav
ebeeni
gnor
ingy
ou”
 
Nomzamo:
“Weneedt
otal
k” 
Me:
“Okayt
alk”
 
Nomzamo:
“Pr
ivat
ely
” 
Me:
“Tal
kNomzamo”
 
Nomzamo:
“I’
m pr
egnant
!”
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t36
.
Thoba
.
Aphiwegasped,itur
nedandl ookedather.Her
eyesweretearyanditur
nedt olookat
Nomzamo.Shewassmi li
ngandi j
ustknew
bit
chwaslying.Aphi
wewal kedoutandi
fol
lowedher.
Me:
“Aphi
we!
” 
Shewasalr
eadyinthepar
kingl
otwheni
got
hol
dofherhand.Shewascryi
ng.
Me:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Pl
easel
etgoofmyhand”
 
Me:
“wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
” 
Aphiwe:“I
’
m gi
vi
ngy
ouscapewi
tht
hemot
her
ofyour.
..
” 
Me:“Stopr
ightt
her
e.Thatchi
l
disnotmi
ne.I
swear
” 
Aphiwe:
“Whyar
eyoudeny
ingi
t?Youdi
dsl
eep
wit
hher.”
 
Me:“Yesididbuti
’
m notst
upi
d.Iused
pr
otect
ion”
 
Aphiwe:“Okayl
etmel
eav
eyou.Letgoofmy
hand” 
Shet
ri
edtoy ankherhandbutihel
dherhand
maki
ngsurethatidon’
thurther
.Mpil
ocamet o
wher
ewear estandi
ng.
Mpi
l
o:“I
sev
ery
thi
ngokayDoc?
” 
Me:
“YesMpi
l
o,t
hanks”
 
Mpi
l
o:“Mi
ss,
arey
ouokay
?” 
Me:“Mpi
l
o,l
eav
emeandmywomant
hef
uck
al
one”
Aphi
we:
“I’
m okay
” 
Me:
“Youhear
dher
,leav
e”
Het
urnedt
oleav
eandi
cal
l
edhi
m back.
.
.
Me:“Youshoul
dlear
nhowt
ost
ayi
nyourl
ane
boy
”
Mpi
l
o:“Iwasonl
ytr
yingt
ohel
p” 
Me:“Yeswellunl
essyouar
easkedt
ohel
p,
mi
ndy ourbusi
ness”
 
Ipul
l
edAphiwebacktomyr ooms.Wef ound
Nomzamoinmyof f
icewithherunder
wearonly
.
Shewasn’
tpayi
ngattent
iontothedoor
.
Nomzamo:
“I’
m gl
adt
hatgi
rll
eft
.Inow.
..
” 
Aphi
we:“Sor
ryt
odisappoi
nt”Nomzamo
qui
ckl
ytur
nedandl
ookedatusinshock.It
hrew
hercl
othest
oher
.
Me:
“Getdr
essed”
Nomzamo:
“Isai
di’
m pr
egnant
” 
Me:“Congr
atul
ati
ons 
Nomzamo.Whoi
sthe
f
ather
?”
Nomzamo:
“You”
 
IchargedforherbutAphiwequi ckl
yst
eppedi
n
fr
ontofmeandki ssedtheliv
ingdayli
ght
sout
ofme.Theki ssdeepenedandi pull
edher
cl
osert ome,maki ngherfeelmyhardon.I
smiledthr
oughtheki ssandweendedup
l
aughing,wepulledapart.
Aphi
we:
“Calm downmyl
ove”shesai
dwi
ping
mymouth.
Me:“Okay
”ismil
ed.Iswearifi
wasagi
rli
woul
dbeblushi
ngli
kecrazy
. 
Me:
“Nomzamo”
 
Nomzamo:
“YesThoba”
 
Me:
“DrEv
ans”
 
Nomzamo:
“DrEv
ans”
 
Me:“Let’ssi
tandtal
k”itookAphi
we’shand
andledhertoaoneseatercouchandpull
edher
onmyl ap.Shetr
iedget
ti
ngoffbutist
opped
her
.
Me:
“Si
t.
” 
Aphi
we:
“Iwi
l
lseatonanot
hercouch”
 
Nomzamo:
“Pl
easedot
hatl
i
ttl
egi
rl
” 
Me:“Si
thereAphi
we,
you’
renotgoi
ng
any
where”
 
Me:
“Nomzamo,
howf
arl
ongar
eyou?
” 
Nomzamo:“I
’
m notsur
e.Al
liknowi
sthati
am
pr
egnant
” 
Me:“Okay.Wearegoingtogodosomet est
s
andwe’
llchecki
fthebabyisminebuti
am
100%surethati
t’
snotmine” 
.
.
Aphi
we:“Whydoyousayt
hatSabel
o?”il
ooked
att
hiswomanandsmil
edl
ikeanidi
ot.
Me:
“St
opt
hatCami
l
la”
 
Aphiwe:“No,y
oust opi
t!
”shel aughed.Ipulled
herdownandkissedher.Iturnedherar ound
andmadeherst r
addleme.Weki ssed,withher
gri
ndingmesohar diwasgr oaning.Weonl y
rememberedafewmi nuteslaterthatsomeone
wasintheroom.
Wepul
l
edapartandshewasn’
tint
her
oom
any
moreandwelaughed.
Me:
“Wher
edi
dshego?
” 
Aphi
we:
“Shewentt
ofeedy
ourchi
l
d”
Me:
“Fucky
ou”
 
Aphi
we:“Har
d,deepandfast
”thatmademe
har
dert
hanial
readywas.
Me:
“St
opi
t.Come.Let
’sgof
etchour
daught
er”
 
Aphi
we:
“Let
’sgo.
” 
Wewalkedouttheof
fi
ceandNomzamowason
t
hephone.Herbackwastur
ned.
Nomzamo:“Hewil
lfi
ndoutandyourwif
eis
gonnal
eav
eyou.Letal
oneyourchi
l
dren”
 
Icl
earedmythr
oatandshej
umped,
droppi
ng
herphone.
Me:
“We’
rel
eav
ing,
takemymessages”
 
WemetMpi l
obyt
hedoorandhet
ri
edt
o
apol
ogi
ze.
Me:
“It
’sf
inebutnextt
imei
won’
tbeasni
ce”
wewal
kedout.
Aphi
we:
“Thatwashar
sh”
 
Me:“Idon’
twantpeopl
emessingwit
husbaby
”
wegottothecarandipi
nnedhert
othecar
door
.
Me:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Aphiwe:“Il
ovey outoo”wekissedandiopened
thedoorforher.Gotinthecaranddrov
eto
Amanda’splace..
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m 

I
nser
t37
.
Aphi
we
.
GrandmaMaggi e’
sdeathhi
tmehard,yesshe
wasn’tminebutsher ai
sedme.Thobawasr i
ght
whenhesai dweshoul dhav
egiventhem t
he
money ,
event houghiwasbrokebuti’
m gl
ad
Thobagav ethem moneyforthebur
ial
.
Iwasn’tal
lowedt ogotot
hefuneral
,iwant
edto
hi
deawayandj ustsl
eepbutThobanever
al
lowedit.Inst
eadwewentoutandhadf un.We
gotSteff
ifrom Amanda.
I
twasti
meforhert
ocomeback.Imi
ssedher
butont
hewayThobahadt
ogopasthi
soffi
ce.
 
Nomzamowast her
eandshecl ai
medt obe
pregnantwithThoba’sbabybuthedenieditsoi
j
ustleftitl
i
kethat.He’l
ldeal
withithi
mselfbut
hesai dheneedsmeandhei sgoi
ngtopr ove
thatthebabyisn’
this.
WewenttogetSteffi
andAmandasuggesteda
pi
cni
catJapaneseGar densoThobaandSphe
wentoutt
obuythingst hatwe’
l
lneed.
Amanda:
“Her
eal
l
ylov
esy
ou”
 
Me:
“Who?
”pr
etendedt
obeconf
used.
Amanda:
“Don’
tfuckwi
thmewena”
 
Me:
“Il
ovehi
mtooAmanda.Ir
eal
l
ydo”
 
Amanda:“Icanseebabe.Hehasbeenreal
ly
hur
tandi’
m happyhehasfoundyou.Don’
tgive
uponhim,okay?
” 
Me:
“Iwon’
t.Hemeanssomucht
ome”
Amanda:
“Soooo?
” 
Me:
“Sowhat
?”
Amanda:
“Hav
eyou.
..
..
?” 
Me:
“Hav
eiwhat
?” 
Amanda:
“Hav
eyouandThoba.
..
” 
Me:“Havewewhat?”i
wasact
ual
l
ydoi
ngi
ton
pur
pose.Iwant
edhert
osayi
t.
Amanda:“Ohcomeon,
iknowy
ouknowwhat
i
’mtal
ki
ngabout”
 
Me:“Noi don’
tsowhydon’
tyout
ell
meor
r
atheraskwhatyouwantt
oask”
Amanda:
“Hav
eyoudonet
hedeedy
et?
”
Me:
“Nowehav
en’
tbut
..
..
” 
Amanda:
“Butwhat
?” 
.

Me:
“Iwantt
obutThobasay
si’
m notr
eady
” 
Amanda:
“Whywoul
dhesayt
hat
,unl
ess.
.”
 
Me:
“Unl
esswhat
?”
Amanda:
“You’
reav
irgi
n?”
Me:“wel
lwithal
ltheoral
sext
hati
’
vebeen
get
ti
ngidoubtiam..
..
” 
Amandal aughssohardbefor
eicoul
dev
en
fi
nish.Ij
oinedi
nandlaughed.
Amanda:
“Isheanygood?
” 
Me:“Allicansayisican’twaitfortherest
”we
l
aughedandt heguyswalkedinwi thplasti
cs
andbags.Wehelpedt heout.Thobaputhi s
armsaroundmeandpul l
edmet okisshim.
Wheni t
ri
edpulli
ngbackhepul l
edmecl oser
anddeepenedthekiss.
Amanda:
“Bi
gsi
steri
nther
oom!
”
Ipull
edbackandbl
ushed,
Thobalaughedand
pressedaver
ydeepbabyki
ss.Il
ovethisman
though.
 
Thoba:
“You’
rebeaut
if
ul”
 
Me:
“Thanky
ou”
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
 
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”
 
Amanda:
“Okay,
youguysarecut
eandall
but
Aphi
wecome,l
et’
smakethesesal
adsand
pap.
” 
Ithadbeendeci
dedthatweweregoi
ngtohave
papandbraaimeat.Sowemadesalads,
green
saladandcol
esl
awbecausebeetr
ootwas
alr
eadymade. 
Amanda:“OhbabeSphe’
sbrot
her
sand
cousi
nswil
lbej
oini
nguswit
hthei
rgi
rl
fr
iends”
 
Me:
“Ohokaycool
.Nopr
obl
em”
 
Wepackedeveryt
hing,Stef
fiwasalloverme.
Shewouldcomeev ery5mi nut
estochecki fi
haveti
meforhersoont hewayt othepicnici
satatt
hebackwithherbutThobadi dn’twant
that
.Hewantedtotouchme.Iwaswear i
ng
shortshor
tjoggi
ngshort
swit
hhist-
shi
rtsoi
t
wascov er
ingtheshor
tsandaspor
tsbr
a
underneat
h.
Me:
“Sot
alkt
omemyl
ove?
” 
St
eff
i::
Youdon’
tlov
emeany
mor
e” 
Me:
“Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?” 
Stef
fi
:“Youdon’
twantt
ospendt
imewi
thme
anymore”
 
Me:
“That
’snott
rue”
 
St
eff
i:“I
t’
str
ue.I
t’
str
ue”sheshout
edandshe
wascryi
ng.
.

Thoba:
“St
ephaneyEv
ans!
!!
”heshout
ed.
Me:“Sabel
opl
ease”St
eff
iwasnowcr
yingher
l
ungsout.
Ipul
l
edhert
omyl
apsandcomf
ort
edher
. 
Me:
“Pl
easedon’
tcr
y.Il
ovey
ou.Pl
easef
orgi
ve
me”
Steff
i:“Iwil
lfor
giv
eyouononecondi
ti
on”she
saidwithtear
stwinkl
i
nginherey
es.
Me:
“Andt
hati
s?”
 
St
eff
i:“Maket
hat2condi
ti
ons”
 
Me:
“Okay
.Iwi
l
lsee”
St
eff
i:“No,
promi
seme”
 
Me:
“Okay
,ipr
omi
se”
 
St
eff
i:“Igett
ocall
youmom andy
ounev
er
l
eavemeagain” 
Me:
“Thoba.
..
”hechuckl
ed.
Thoba:
“Iam notget
ti
ngi
nvol
ved”
St
eff
i:“Sowhatdoy
ousay
?” 
Me:
“Erm we’
ll
tal
kabouti
twi
thy
ourf
atherand
wewil
lgi
veyouan.
..
” 
Thoba:
“Nobaby
,answerhernow”
 
St
eff
i:“So?
” 
Me:
“Iwi
l
lnev
erl
eav
eyou”
 
St
eff
i:“And?
” 
Me:
“Youcancal
lmemom”
 
Stef
fi
:“Yeeeey!
”sheclappedherhandsand
huggedme.IlookedatThobaont hemir
rorand
hehadthishugesmil
eonhi sface.
 
Me:“Iwi
llgety
ouf
ort
his”i
mout
hedandhe
l
aughed.
St
eff
i:“Ican’
twai
ttot
ell
Ndut
haty
ouar
enow
mymommy .Mysexymommy”
 
Me:“Hai
boSt
eff
i,wher
edi
dyougetSexy
f
rom?”
Stef
fi
:“Ihear
ddaddytel
l
inguncl
eSphesay
ing
youaresexyand.
..
” 
Thoba:“Okay!Whowantsi
ce-
cream? ”St
eff
i
squal
led,
shewasexcit
edaboutice-
cream.We
gottoJapanesegar
denandAmandawas
al
readyt
her
ewithherfamil
y.Assoonasi
openedt
hedoorStef
figotoutandr
antoher
cousi
n.

.
Me:“Soyouweredi
scussi
ngmewi
thy
our
br
otheri
nlaw?
” 
Thoba:
“Itwasj
usti
nnocent
” 
Me:
“Innocentandsexy
?” 
Thoba:
“Yourdaught
eri
sfor
war
d”
Me:“Andthi
ssexymommyi
ssl
eepi
ngwi
thher
daught
ert
onight
” 
Thoba:
“Youwoul
dn’
tdar
e” 
Me:
“Tr
yme”
 
Thoba:
“ComeonAphi
we”
 
Me:
“Wat
chme”
 
It
ri
edt
owal
kawaybuthepul
l
edmebymy
wai
standi
laughed.
Me:
“Letgo”
 
Thoba:
“You’
l
lsl
eepi
nourbedr
oom t
oni
ght
?” 
Me:
“Noti
nter
est
ed”i
laughed.
Thoba:
“I’
llmakey
ouf
eel
good”hewhi
sper
ed
i
nmyear .
Me:“No”iwhi
speredcl
osingmyey es.Hi
shand
wentundermytshi
rt
,upmywai sttomybreast
.
Mybreathi
ngwasoutofcontr
ol. 
Thoba:“You*ki
ss*wil
l*
kiss*sleep*ki
ss*in
*ki
ss*our*ki
ss*bedr
oom *kiss*toni
ght”
 
Allal
onghewasgi v
ingmeneckki sses.He
tur
nedmear oundhandonmyneckandpul l
ed
mef oraki
ss.Hishar donwaspressedonme
andi al
sopressed.Wepulledoutandwe
l
ookedateachot hersmili
ng.Helookeddown
tohispant
sandi al
solooked.Hi
sbul gewas
huge.
Thoba:
“Fuckt
hispi
cni
c!”
 
Me:
“Youagr
eedt
oitsosucki
tup”
 
Thoba:“Youknowifiwer
etotouchy
oudown
ther
ei’
dgetadrippi
ngwetyou”
Me:
“Youwoul
dn’
tdar
e” 
Hetookouthi
sphonef
rom hi
spocketand
cal
l
edsomeone. 
Thoba:“Ifor
gotsomet
hing.Aphi
weandiwe’
l
l
bebackjustnow”hehungupandpull
edmeto
thecar
. 
Wegoti
nandhedr
oveaway
.
Me:
“Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
” 
Thoba:
“We’
l
lgobackj
ustnow”

.
Hedrovetothi
ssecludedareaandheparked
ther
e.Hegotoutofthecarandhecamet o
openmysideofthedoor.Heopenedtheback
seatandwegotin.Wekissedeachotherwit
h
somuchhunger .Het ookoffmyshor ts
foll
owedbymypant i
es.Hegoti nbetweenmy
l
egsandhesuckedme.Hi stonguegoinginand
out,upanddownv eryslowlyiwaslosingmy
mind.Histhumbpr essedonmybut t
onandi
screamedf orhi
m nott ostopandhedi dn’tst
op.
Hedi dn’
tstopti
llicame.Iblackedoutf ora
minuteor2, wheni camet ohewasr ightonmy
facekissi
ngme.  
Thoba:
“Hel
l
o” 
Me:
“Hi
” 
Thoba:
“Let’sgohome.Ir
eal
l
yneedt
obe
i
nsideyou”
Me:
“Andy
ouwi
l
l,t
oni
ght
”hegr
oaned.
 
Thoba:
“Getdr
essedsowecango”
 
Itookmybagandwi pedmy sel
f.Hewas
outsidecal
minghi
mselfandhecameback
askingifiwasr
eady.
 
Me:
“Yep,
let
sgo”hegoti
nandwedr
oveback.
Hewasholdi
ngmyhandallthewaytowhere
weare.Wegotoutandwheniwastowalk
awayhepull
edmeback.
Me:
“Notagai
n”hechuckl
edandbabyki
ssed
me.
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:“Il
oveyout
oo”i
kissedhi
m andwentt
o
j
oint
heother
s.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Inser
t38
.
Aphi
we
.
Whenir
eachedt
heother
sAmandaqui
ckl
y
st
oodupandpul
ledmebymyarm.
Amanda:
“And?
”
Me:
“andwhat
?”
Amanda:
“Wher
edi
dyoudi
sappeart
o?”
Me:
“Thoba,
heer
m heer
mm.
..
Amanda:
“Yes?
”
Me:
“Hewant
edt
odosomecl
eani
ng”
Amanda:
“Cl
eani
ng?
”
Me:“Downther
e”shelookedatmeshocked
andshel
aughedunti
lshehadtear
srol
l
ing
downherf
ace
Amanda:
“Youmeant
otel
lmethatmybr
other
tooky
ouawayt
ogomuffy
ou?”
Me:
“Ssshhhh,
notsol
oud”shel
aughed.
Amanda:
“Mybr
otheri
ssowhi
pped.
”
Me:
“Hewant
edust
ogohome,
imagi
ne”
Amanda:
“Whydi
dn’
tyou?
”
Befor
eicouldanswerThobacamet
ojoi
nus,
he
hadthi
sstupidgr
inonhisface.
Amanda:
“Itseemsl
i
key
ougoti
tal
ltoday
”
Thoba:
“Al
most
”
Amanda:
“Don’
thur
tthepoorki
d.”
Thoba:
“Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?”
Amanda:“Begent
let
oni
ght
..
”shewi
nkedand
Thobal
ookedatme.
Thoba:
“Whatt
hehel
l
?”
Me:
“Iai
n’
tsai
dnot
hing”
Amanda:
“Ial
sodi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng”
Thoba:“Shutup.Baby
,cani
tal
ktoy
ouf
ora
second?”
Me:
“Yeahsur
e.”
.
Ifol
l
owedhim andwewentt ositonabench
somewher
e.Hel ookedser
ious.
Me:
“What
’sup?
”
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”
Thoba:
“Nobabe,
ireal
l
ylov
eyou”
Me:
“what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Thoba:
“Babei
’
m hor
ny.Li
ker
eal
l
yhor
ny.
”
Me:“Reall
ySabel
o,y
oucall
edmehereforthat
?
Tofuckme?Youcan’twai
tti
ll
wegethomeor
you’
vebeenwait
ingt
ofuckmeall
along?”
Thoba:“Babyno,
iwasjustmessi
ngwi
thy
ou.I
j
ustmissedyouand.
..
”
Me:“Noy ouar
ely
ing.Ican’
tbel
i
evey
our
ight
now”ist
oodupandwal kedaway.
Thoba:“Babypl
ease,
i’
m sor
ry.
”Ii
gnor
edhi
m
andrushedtoAmanda.
Me:
“Hel
p.Pl
easehel
p”
Amanda:
“What
’swr
ong?
”iwaspani
cki
ng.
Me: “Thobawant sust ogohome.Imeani
knowi ’
mr eadybuti’
m scar edofnotsati
sfyi
ng
him andbecomi ngaflop.Whati fhethi
nksi
suck?”iwast al
kingsof astandAmyst opped
me.
Amanda: “Takeadeepbreathandt
ell
mewhat
happened”itookdeepbr
eathsandtol
dher
.
Me:
“Yourbr
otheri
shor
ny”
Amy:
“Andyou’
rer
eady
,sowhat
’st
he
pr
obl
em?”
Me:“Iki
ndofpul
ledaprankonhi
mtor
unt
o
youandaskwhattodo?
”
Amy :
“Gotohim.Youguysgohomeandyougo
putonni
celi
nger
ieandhe’
llt
akei
tfr
om t
her
e.”
Me:
“Thatwi
l
lwor
k?”
Amy:“Yesandhe’
scomingthisway”she
mov
edawayandi tur
nedaroundtoThoba.
Thoba:
“Baby,i
’m sosorr
y.Idi
dn’
tmeant
o..
.”i
putafi
ngeronhi
sl i
ps.
Me:“Babeiwasjoki
ng.Idi
dthatt
orunt
o
Amandatoaskherwhattodo”
Thoba:
“Whyt
hough?
:
Me:
“Iwantt
osat
isf
yyoubabe”
Thoba:
“Yousat
isf
ymemyl
ove.Mor
ethany
ou
know”
Me:
“Ido?
”
Thoba:“Yes,comeher e”hepul
l
edmei nfora
ti
ghthugandi coul
dfeel hi
shar
don.Iputmy
handonhim andhegr oaned.
.
Me:
“Let
’sgohome.
”
Thoba:
“Wer en’
tyoutheonewhosai
dwe
mustn’
tleav
ehere?”
Me:
“Theywi
l
lunder
stand”
Thoba:
“Whatabouty
ourdaught
er?
”
Me:
“Iwi
l
ltal
ktoher
.Let
’sgo”
Iwal
kedovertoeveryone.Wehaven’
tbeen
i
ntr
oducedtotheothersbutiwasalr
eady
l
eavi
ng.IwenttoAmandaandt ol
dheri was
l
eavi
ng.
Amy
:“Rememberwhati
tol
dyouneh?
”
Me:“Wi
lldo,l
etmetal
ktomydaught
er.St
eff
i!
”
ical
l
edherandshecamerunni
ng.
Stef
fi
:“Yesmommy
”shecameandst
oodi
n
fr
ontofme.
Me:“Babymommyanddaddyhav
etogo.We
wi
ll
fetchyout
omor
row”
St
eff
i:“Mommyy
oupr
omi
sed”
Me:“Iknowbabybutmommy’
sgr
annydi
edso
wehavetogotoherfami
l
y”
Stef
fi
:“I
’m sorrymommy.Areyouokay
?”she
huggedme.If el
tsobadt
hatil
i
ed.Mygr ani
s
deadandburied.
Me:“Yesbaby
.I’
m good.I
’
llseey
out
omor
row.
Gi
vemommyaki ss”
Wekissedonthel
i
psandtol
dherthati
lov
eher
.
Sai
dmygoodby et
oever
yoneandThobawas
al
readyst
andi
ngbymydoor.
Heopenedthedoorandigotin.Hewentt
ohi
s
si
deanddroveaway.Hishandwasbrushi
ngmy
t
highsendi
ngmessagest
omybody.Hishand
wentuptomycr
otchanditst
ayedt
her
e.
Thoba:
“Takeof
fyourpant
s”
Me:
“Huh?
”
Thoba:
“Pant
s,of
f”
Itookof
fthepantsandiwaslef
twi
thhi
st-
shi
rt
andpanti
es.Iwassuperwet
.
Thoba:“Thighsapar
t”iopenedwi derandhe
sli
ppedmypant i
estotheside.Her ubbedhis
thumbonmybut t
onandi moaned.Mi ndy ou
thi
sguywasdr ivi
nganddoingt histome.He
i
nsertedhismiddl
efingerandi gasped, i
thurta
l
itt
lebutigotusedtoitanditfeltsogood.
Goinginandoutofmyhol e.
Me:“OhmyGod”i whisper
ed.Hestar
tedgoi
ng
f
asterandiwasclose.Hequickl
ypull
edouthi
s
f
ingerandsuckedit
.
Thoba:“Mmmm i
ttast
esgood”iopenedmy
eyesandwewer
edrivi
ngi
ntheestate.
Hepar kedhiscari nthegar age, camet omy
si
deandcar ri
edmei nside.Hesett healarm
andwewentupst airs.Whenwegott herewe
quickl
ygotr idofourcl othesandwewer eleft
naked.Thobapul l
edmet ohi m andki ssedme
sl
owl y
, soft
lyial
mostwept .Hishandsr oami ng
aroundmybodyandi wasmoani ngnonst op.
Wewal kedtobedandhel aidmedownont he
bed.Heki ssedmyl ipsgoi ngdownt omyj aw,
myneck.Hesuckedabi ttoohar donmyneck
andwentt omybr easts.
.
Hesuckedmyt it
s,bi
ti
ngmyni ppl
esi twas
damngood.Hewentt ownt omyt ummy ,my
navelandmyhi pbone.Heopenedmyl egs
widerandhedov ein.Histonguewasdoi ng
wondersonmycooki ej
arandheal soinserted
hi
sf i
ngeragain.I
tfel
tgood.Hesuckedme, his
fi
ngergoinginandoutunt i
lucame.It hought
hewasdonebuthecont inuedandi hadanot her
orgasm.Hekeptongoi ngandi hadt ostophi m
becausehewasn’
tgoi
ngt
ost
op.
Me:“Damni
tThobaineedyouinsi
de”t
hel
ook
hegavemedearl
orddearl
ord.
Hecameupandki ssedme.Hegotinbet
ween
myl egsandposi
ti
onedhismanhoodonmy
cookiejar
.Hekeptrubbi
ngitandi
wantedhi
m
i
nside.
Me:
“Pl
ease”i
whi
sper
ed.
Thoba:“Pleasewhat
?”hi
svoi
cewasdeeper
thanbefor
e.
Me:
“Ineedy
oui
nme.
”
Het
ri
edtoinser
tandij
umpedmovi
ngbackon
t
hebed.Hesmil
edandhefol
l
owedme.
Thoba:
“Rel
ax”
Me:
“Ican’
t.You’
ret
oobi
g”
Thoba:“Justt
ryandr
elax.I
twi
l
lbeov
ersoon.
Okay?”
Hehel
dmyt
highsandpul
l
edmet
ohi
m .Ij
ust
nodded.Het r
iedagainandijumped.He
fol
lowedme.Ikeptr unni
nguntiliwas
connect
edt otheheadboard.Therewas
nowheretorunsohepul ledmyt hi
ghsagain,
hel
dmet ightl
yandpushedi n.Iscreamedand
pushedhim.
Thoba:
“Wecanst
opy
ouknow.
”
Me:
“Nono,
it’
sokay
.Let
’scont
inue.
”
Hepushedagaint hi
sti
mehedidn’
tal
l
owmet o
pul
lbacknorletmegoi scr
eamedandiwas
hi
tti
nghisarmsbutheheldmyhands,l
ocki
ng
outhandstogether.
Thoba:
“I’
min.I
’
min.I
t’
sokay
”
Me:
“It
’spai
nful
”
Thoba:“It
’sgonnagetbet ter
”hebeganto
mov e.Ohgoodnessi evendr ool
ed.I
twasgood
thatimethimt hrustf
orthrust.Hewoul
dgo
slowfor2mi nutesandthenhewoul dgodeep,
quickandfastthenext.Itwassogood.
Hetookmylegsandputt
hem onhi
sshoul
der
s
butdi
dn’
tmove.
Thoba:
“Ar
eyouokay
?”
Me:
“I’
m good”i
waspant
ing.
Heki
ssedmeandhebegant
omov
e.
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:“Ilovey outoo”andhemov edfast
er.I
cameagai nbutthistimei tcameoutwi t
hpee.I
wasshakingandhehadpul ledout.Hewas
l
ookingatmycooki ejarallthi
stime,hi
sbottom
l
iptuckedonhi steeth.Icalmeddownandhe
wentin.Thistimewasgoi ngfastunti
lhealso
came.Wehel deachot heraswebot hcame.He
l
etouttheloudestgr oanandf ellontopofme.
Wewerebr
eat
hingheav
il
y,hepul
l
edbackandi
wi
nced.
Thoba:“Sor
ry”hesaidandpeckedmyl i
ps.He
wenttothebathr
oom fort
helongestt
ime.He
camebackandcar r
iedmetothebathroom.He
hadpr epar
edabat hformeandwegoti n
bathi
ngeachot her
.Itwaslovel
y.Heturnedme
aroundandi st
raddledhim.Hesli
dinsi
deme
andi gasped.Westartedal
loveragai
n..
.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Inser
t39
.
Thoba
.
Afterthesteamysessiont
hatAphi
weandi had,
wegotoutoft hebat
handshewashurti
ng
reall
ybadlynowsheev enhadafunnywal
ki
want edtolaugh.
Wewentbacktothebedroom andt
herewasa
bl
oodstai
nonthebedthatbothofusdidn’
tpay
att
ent
iontowhenwewentt ot
hebathroom but
nowthatwe’
reher
ebothofusar el
ookingatit
.
IlookedatAphiweandshewasfr
ozenri
ghton
thespot.Iwenttot
hebedandchangedt
he
covers.Shecameandtri
edtohel
pmebuti t
old
hert
hatI
’
ddoi
tsheshoul
drel
ax.
Iputonnewwhi t
esheetsandagr ey/
navyhuge
comforter.Iretr
eatedt
ot hecloset
,gotdressed
i
nmypy jamabot tomsandt ookoutboxersfor
Aphiwe.I’drathershebenakedont opthan
bott
om.Igav ehertheboxersandsheputt hem
on,wegoti nt obed.
Me:
“Ar
eyouokaybaby
?”
Aphi
we:
“Yes,
i’
m good”shesoundeddown.
Me:
“Ar
eyousur
emyl
ove?
”
Aphi
we:“Yep”hertonemademereal
i
sethat
shewaslyi
ng.It
urnedherar
oundt
ofaceme,
shecoul
dn’
tevenlookatme.
Me:
“Tal
ktomebabywhat
’swr
ong?
”
Aphi
we:
“Whathappensnow?
”
Me:
“Whatdoy
oumean?
”
Aphi
we:
“Wi
thus,
what
’snext
?”
Me:
“Idon’
tfol
l
owwher
ethi
sconv
ersat
ioni
s
goi
ng?
”
Aphi
we:
“Imeanwe’
vesl
eptt
oget
herso.
..
”
Me: “Heyl ookatme.Iloveyouandonl yyou.
Yougav emeawonder f
ulgif
tandI ’
llf
oreverbe
gratefulfort
hat.Babyyoucompl eteme.You
makemehappyandi am goi
ngt owi f
ey our
naught yass”shelaughedandcov eredherface.
Ilookedather ,shewasfli
ppinbeautifulani
want edt oprot
ectherfr
om everybadt hingin
thewor ld.
Sheopenedhereyesandlookedatmesmil
ing,
i
l
eanedintoki
ssherandthekisswassodeep
andpassi
onatet
hatigotontopofher
,in
betweenherl
egsbutshepushedmeoffandi
chuckl
ed.
.
Me:
“Whyar
eyoupushi
ngme?
”
Aphi
we:
“Cany
ougi
vemet
imet
oheal
,i
’m ki
nd
ofi
npai
n”
Me:“Wel
lyouenj
oyedoursessi
oni
nthebat
h.
Youwer
enotcomplai
ning”
Aphi
we:
“Iwasj
ustbei
ngf
orwar
d,i
t’
sreal
l
y
sor
e”
Me:“Okay
, onl
yfort
oni
ght
.Tomorr
oweveni
ngi
am goi
ngtosleepwi
thTJdeepi
nyou”
Aphi
we:
“Youwi
sh!
”
Me:
“Icanhav
eyouev
ennow”
Aphi
we:
“Asi
fiwoul
dlety
ou”
Me:
“Wannat
estt
hat
?”
Aphi
we:“Nothanks”shebackedawayandi
l
aughedoutl
oud.
Wesati nbedforhourstalki
ngandgett
ingt
o
knoweachot hermore,themor ewespoket
he
morei sawthatshedidn’thaveamuchhappy
chi
ldhood,shewasbasicallyaloner
.
Aphi
wekeptbeggi
ngmetogoandpi
ckSt
eff
i
upbuti
ref
usedwanti
ngt
ospendmoret
ime
wi
thher.Iaskeheraboutdi
nnerandshesai
d
weshouldeatri
bsandpizzasoiorder
ed.
Wegotoutofbed,madethebedandheaded
downst
air
saft
erputt
ingonmatchi
ngt-
shir
ts.
Thedeli
ver
ycameandweat einfrontofthet.
v
watchi
ngKungFuPanda, bothofusar ecraz
y
aboutt
hatmov i
e.Afterf
inishi
ngthef oodwe
cl
eanedupandcamebackt ofi
nishthemov i
e
butiwasn’
tthatr
elaxed.
Ihad2thi
ngsthatwer
eonmymi nd,
botheri
ng
me.Imusthav
ezonedoutbecauseisnapped
outofi
twhensheshookme.
Me:
“Huh?
”
Aphi
we:“Themov
iei
sfi
nished,
wantt
owat
ch
anot
herone?
”
Me:
“Yeahsur
e”i
sai
dcar
elessl
y.
Aphi
we:
“Ar
eyousur
eyou’
reokay
?”
Me:“Yes,
letmegetusj
uiceandwewi
l
ltal
k
whenicomebackokay?
”
Aphi
we:
“Okay
”sher
epl
i
ednoddi
ng.
Iwentintot hekit
chenandpour edusmi l
k
i
nstead,tookoutOr eocooki
esandwentt othe
l
oungear ea.Shewasn’ tther
eandt hedoor
l
eadingout sidewasopened, iwentputandshe
wassitti
ngbyt hepool.Shewasdamnbeaut i
ful
iwantedtoshoutf orever
yonetohear.Ij
oined
herwiththecooki esandmi l
k.
.
Aphiwe:
“Mmmm myf av
our
it
e”shesai
d
rubbi
ngherhands.
Me:
“Youlovef
oodwoman”i
sai
dsi
tt
ingnext
t
oherki
ssi
nghercheek.
Aphiwe:“Nope,
justt
hese”i
chuckl
edand
pul
ledhertomehuggingher.
Me:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Aphi
we:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”
Aphi
we:
“Let
’st
alk.What
’sbot
her
ingy
ou?
”
Me:
“Iwantt
otakecar
eofy
ou”
Aphi
we:
“O.
..
.kay
”
Me:“Yes,i
wantyout
ostopwor
kingf
orme
andiwantyout
ogoschool
”
Aphi
we:
“SoI
’
llbeakeptwoman?
”
Me:
“What
?No!Ij
ustwantt
ohel
pyouout
”
Aphi
we:
“Thanksbuti
don’
tneedy
ourhel
p”
Me:
“Atl
eastt
hinkabouti
t.Pl
ease”
Aphi
we:
“Thobano!Idon’
t.
..
”
Me:“Li
stenwoman, i
wanttohel
pyou.You
hav
ebeenaloneforsuchalongt
imethati
want
tot
akecareofyou,pl
easeal
lowmetodothat
”
Aphiwe:“Thobai
don’
twantpeopl
etot
hink
that
..
.”
Me:“Fuckpeopl e.Fuckthem Camill
a,take
them outofthisrel
ati
onship.Aphi
wei wantto
prot
ecty ou,
iloveyouandi wanty
out ohave
ever
ythingyouwantandneed”
Aphi
we:
“Cani
thi
nkabouti
t?”
Me:
“That’
sall
iask.Comeher
e”i
pul
l
edheri
n
f
orahug.Ki
ssi
ngherhead.
Aphi
we:“Thankyouf
ort
het
houghtt
hough
okay
?”i
chuckled
Me:
“Okaybaby
,anot
hert
hing.
..
.”shegr
oaned
Aphi
we:
“Whati
sitnow?
”il
aughed.
Me:
“Wedi
dn’
tusepr
otect
ion”
Aphi
we:“Oh”shepul
ledoutofmyarmsand
wentt
ostandbythepooliwal
kedt
oher.
Me:
“What
’sup?
”
Aphi
we:
“Yout
hinki
’
m si
ck?
”
Me:“Babyno.I
’mjustwor
ri
edaboutpr
egnancy
.
Youmightnotwanti
t”
Aphi
we:“Aaahokay
.Don’
tworry
.Beenonbi
rt
h
cont
rol
sincei
was16.Soi’
m good”
Me:“Ooohthat’
sgood,i
meanwearegoi
ngto
hav
echil
dren.Ineedy
outogobackt
oschool
f
ir
st”
Aphi
we:
“Isai
diwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
tSabel
o”
Me:
“Okayt
hanky
oubaby
”
West oodtherej
ustenj
oyi
ngt
hesunset.We
werestandingwhenmyphonerangf
rom my
pocket.
.
Amanda:
“Openup”shehungup.
Me:‘Come,
let
’sgobacki
nsi
de.Amandai
s
her
e”
Wegoti nandAphi werushedupstair
sto
change,sheat t
empt edtorunupt hestair
sbut
shewashur ting.Iwenttoopent hegateand
openedthedoor .Af ewmi nut
eslaterAmanda
gotinwithSpheandourcousi nswithsomeof
thei
rgir
lfr
iends,ilookedatthem confused.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Amanda:
“Thechi
l
drenar
ewi
tht
hepar
ent
sand
wedeci
dedtocomef
ini
shof
fthepar
tyher
e”
shewasdr
unk.
Sphe:
“Wecamet
ochi
l
lbr
o,hopey
oudon’
t
mind”
I
twasSphe, Amanda,Vuyowithhi
sgirl
fri
end
Nasi,Gcinawi t
hhisgi
rl
fri
endBongeki
le,Li
ndo
withhisgirl
fr
iendBomi andNkuluwasby
himself.Aphiwecamedownst ai
rsandeveryone
tur
nedt olookather.
Amanda:“Heeeeey
.Imi
ssedy
ou”shewentan
huggedher
.
Ipull
edAphiwetomeandi ntr
oducedhert o
everyone.Whenwegott oNkuluhekissedher
handandt hatpi
ssedmeof f.Nkuluwasy our
typi
cal f
uckboyandicouldtellhewanted
Aphiwei meanhedidsleepwi t
hGcina’sex
gi
r l
fr
iendsoiwassurehewasgoi ngtogoaf t
er
Aphiweandi hadtost
opt hisnonsensebefore
i
tgotoutofhand.
Me:
“Nkul
u,l
et’
stal
kforami
nut
e”west
epped
outsi
deandwalkedt
ot hefi
repl
ace.Ist
art
ed
thefi
reandhewashelpingmeout,hepull
ed
outacigar
ett
etosmoke.
Me:
“Yo,
ineedy
out
olayof
fAphi
we”
Nkul
u:“Shey
ourgi
rl
?”
Me:“Ofcourseshei
smi
ne,
youf
oundheri
n
myhousedidn’ty
ou?
”
Nkulu:
“Relax,y
ou’l
ldi
eyoung.Iwi
l
lgoaf
ter
yourgi
rlj
ustto.
..
”
Iqui
ckl
ypushedhi mtothefi
repl
acehishead
wasdirect
lytothef
ir
e.Ipl
acedmyf ootonhis
neckandtwistedhi
sarmsandhegr oaned.
Me: “List
entomey ouf
ucker.Comeaftermy
gir
lfr
iendandiwillcomeaty ouwi
theveryt
hing
thatihave.Youknowi am capabl
eofsuch.
Dudest ayaway,youdon’twantmebri
ngingout
thatfuckedupsideofme”
Nkul
u:“Youar
egoingt
obur
nme”hegr
oaned
andhewascry
ing.
Me:
“St
ayawayf
rom Aphi
we”
Nkulu:“Yes,i
wil
lstayaway”iletgoofhim and
hefellont
othegroundcoughing.Iwalkedback
i
nsideandi wasl
ivi
d.Iwentthroughthekit
chen
andi f
oundAphiwewi t
htheladies.It
ookher
handandwentoutt heotherdoor.
Aphi
we:“Babywhat’
sgoi
ngon?”ipul
l
edhert
o
me.Iwasshaki
ng,i
wasthatangr
y.
Me:
“Youwon’
tleav
emer
ight
?”
Aphiwe:“No,i
won’
tleav
eyou”shewas
rubbi
ngmybackandhead.I
tfel
tsogoodi
i
nstantl
ycal
meddown.
Me:“Il
ovey
ou”i
pul
l
edbackandcuppedher
f
ace.
Aphi
we:“Ilov
ey outoo”iki
ssedhersoodeepl
y
andhuggedheraft
erwards.
Iwaswil
l
ingtokill
mybrot
herforAphi
we,iwas
goi
ngtokil
lanyonewhotr
iedt
oharm heror
comenearher.Shewasmineandminealone.
.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Inser
t40
.
Aphi
we
.
Aft
ert hatinci
dentwit
hThobapull
ingme
outside,wewentbacki nsi
deandthi
ngswere
okay.ThatNasi chi
ckwasgi v
ingmethatl
ook
soi decidedtoaskherwhatherprobl
em was.
Me:
“Nasi
,i
sev
ery
thi
ngokay
?”
Nasi
:“wit
hregar
dsto..
?”sheaskedwi
th
at
ti
tudeandij
ustchuckl
ed.
Me:
“Iam get
ti
ngt
hisv
ibef
rom y
ou”
Nasi
:“You’
rei
magi
ningt
hings”
Amanda:“Nasi
,backof
f.Thobal
ovesherso
pl
easebackoff
”
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Ev
ery
one:
“Not
hing”
Ij
ustkeptquietandcont
inuedmaki
ngmygr een
salad.MyphoneranganditwasThoba,
ijust
blushed.
Me:
“Yessi
r”hel
aughed.
Thoba:
“Imi
ssy
oursexyass”
Me:
“It
’sagoodt
hingi
’
mrest
ing”
Thoba:
“Begl
adbabyorel
se.
..
”
Me:“Orel
sewhat
..
?”hewassi
l
entf
orami
nut
e
or2.
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
ooMi
ster
”
Thoba:
“Fucky
ou”
Me:
“youal
readydi
dandasar
esul
tican’
t.
..
.”
Thoba:“Okaybye”hecutmeof
fandhungup.I
j
ustlaughedshaki
ngmyhead.
Amanda:
“Lov
eisi
ntheai
r”
Me:
“Shutup”
Amanda:“Iam goi
ngtobeyouMat
roni
f
honouronyourweddi
ngday
”
Me:
“Whoasl
owdownnow,
noweddi
ngsy
et”
Nasi
:“Good,ther
ewon’
tbeanyweddi
ngs
i
ndeed”shesaidwit
hsomuchvenom.
Amanda:
“Bi
tchy
ou’
rer
eal
l
ytest
ingme”
Nasi
:“Hewassupposedt
obemi
ne”
.
Bomi
:“Hai
boNasi
youhav
eaboy
fri
end”
Me:
“Excuseme”i
gotoutt
heki
tchen
Nasi
:“Runal
ongl
i
ttl
egi
rl
.”
Bef
oreicoul
dcl
i
mbupt
hest
air
sahandpul
l
ed
meback.
Thoba:
“Babe?
”
Me:
“Hmmm?
”
Thoba:
“What
’sup?
”
Me:
“Ij
ustwantt
ochangei
ntoshor
tssi
nce.
..
”
Thoba:
“For
geti
t.Nochangi
ng.Hel
lno”
Me:
“Whyt
hough?
”iaskedwi
thasmi
l
e
Thoba:“Becauseidon’twantt
hesesucker
sto
l
ookaty ourbody”hesaidpul
li
ngmeintohis
arms.
Hepul l
edmecl oserandweki ssed,i
twasone
ofthoseroughhungrykisses.Handsallov
er
eachotherandi wantedhim butitwasj
ustsor
e
soi pul
ledback.Thoba’
sey eshadgonesmall.
Thoba:
“Babypl
ease”
Me:
“Ican’
tbaby
.I’
m sor
e!”
Thoba:
“I’
l
lbegent
le.Ipr
omi
se,
ifi
tget
stoo
muchiwil
lst
op”
Itookhi
shandandwer anupt
hest
air
stot
he
bedroom andhel
ocked.
Me:
“Ther
ear
epeopl
edownst
air
s”
Thoba:
“Whotol
dt hem tocome?”hekissedme
pul
li
ngoffmycl
othes.Bothourcl
otheswere
f
lyi
ngal
lov
ert
her
oom.
Hepickedmeupandt hrewmet obed,
i was
bounci
ngandgiggl
ing.Hekissedt
hesideofmy
facegoi
ngdownmyneck, l
eavi
ngalov
ebi t
efor
sureandimoaned.Hekissedmytit
sandhis
handswereal
loverme.
Heki ssedmyst omachandt urnedmear ound
tokneel.Hewentst raightt
omyhol eandhe
kissedmet her e,suckingandbi t
ingitf
eltso
goodj eez.Hepushedi nhisfingerandijumped
hesai dsorrywi t
hhi smouthpr essedonmy
cookiejarijustv i
brated.Hechuckledand
turnedmear ound.
Heent
eredme,
iscr
eamed.
Me:
“Babe.
..
”iwhi
sper
ed.
Thoba:
“Yesmywi
fe.
.“Ij
ustmel
ted
Me:“Gent
lybabe,begent
le”i
sai
dmov
ingmy
hi
psandhegroaned.
Thoba:
“I’
m sor
rybaby
.Youj
ustf
eel
sogood”
her
oar
ed.
.
Hethenstart
edtomov e.Thesoundsthatwer e
comingoutofmymout hwer enonsensicalbuti
di
dn’tcar
e.Thismanwasmaki ngmef eelgood
wit
hpeopleinhishouse.
Wewereatitf
oral
ongt
imeunt
ilhi
sphone
st
art
edtor
ing.
Thoba:“What
?!.
..
..
okayhol
don”hepassedme
thephone.
Me:
“Hel
l
o”
Amy:“Bi
tchcomedownstair
s.We’
l
lleav
elat
er
andy
oucanf uckl
i
kerabbi
ts”
Me:“Hahaokayiwill
come”i
moanedasThoba
ent
eredmefrom behi
nd
Amy:“NomanVoet
sek!
”il
aughedandshe
hungup.
Me:
“Baby
,whydi
ddot
hat
?”i
askedi
naf
aint
v
oiceenj
oyi
ngt
hat
.
Het urnedmear oundandwewer eatitagain.
Af t
erwewer edonewewentt otakeashower
andhet r
iedtogetinmebuti pushedhi m and
ranoutt heshower .Iqui
ckl
ydri
edandl oti
oned.
Iwor emyunder wear ,mywhit
ejeanshor t
sand
Thoba’ speacht-shir
tandwentdownst ai
rs
wi t
houtwear i
nganyshoes.Iwasr unningaway
from Thobabecausehecoul dn’tkeephishands
tohimsel f.
Igotdownstai
rsandev eryonewasout si
de,
whent hesawmet heykeptqui et
.Iwasso
embar r
assed,
theyst ar
tedt olaughanditurned
redwithembarrassment .Ifel
tThoba’sarm
goingaroundmywai st
.Hepul ledmetowards
thecrowd.
Thoba:
“Don’
tmi
ndt
hem”heki
ssedmyhead.
Amanda:
“Wedi
dn’
tgett
hememo”
Me:
“Whatmemo?
”
Amanda:
“TheGOFUCKANDCOMEBACK
WITHOUTWEARI
NGANYSHOESMemo”
Il
ookeddownonourf eetandwebothweren’
t
weari
nganyshoes.IgotoutofThoba’
sar
ms
andj
oinedt
heladies.
Bomi
:“Di
ckbesogoody
oudi
tchusf
orhour
s”
Bongeki
le:
“Pl
usshei
sgl
owi
ng”i
wasbl
ushi
ng
l
ikehell
Nasi
:“Canwet
alkaboutsosomet
hingel
se?
”
Amy
:“hey
,don’
tbeext
rapl
ease”
Me:
“Letmegodi
shupf
orThobaandmy
sel
f”
Iwal
kedbacki
ntothekit
chenanddishedupfor
meandThoba.If
eltl
iesomeonewaswat chi
ng
mesoitur
nedaroundandsawt heNkuluguy
l
ooki
ngatmewei r
dly
.
.
Me:
“Ohhi
”
Nkul
u:“Heybeaut
if
ul”
Me:
“Youneedany
thi
ng?
”
Nkul
u:“Nope,
i’
m good.Mor
ethangood”
Iturnedaroundandcont
inuedwithwhatiwas
doing.Nextthi
ngtheguyisbreat
hingonmy
neck, i
tur
nedandpushedhim offme.
Me:
“Dudewhatt
hehel
l
”
Nkul
u:“Icanmakey
ouhappy
”
Me:“Thobamakesmehappy
,ver
yhappy
t
han..
..
”
Nkulu:“Idi
dn’taskyoushi
t.Ij
ustwanty
out
o
bemi ne”hewasst andi
ngsocloset
ome
reeki
ngofalcohol.
Me:
“I’
m sor
rybuti
bel
ongt
osomeone”
Vuy
o:“I
sther
eapr
obl
em her
e?”
Nkul
u:“Nope,
wewer
ejustt
alki
ng”
Vuy
o:“Phi
we?
”
Me:
“Pl
easegethi
m awayf
rom me”
VuyochargedforNkuluandgr abbedhim byt
he
col
lar
.Hepul l
edhim outsi
deandi conti
nuedto
fi
xourplates,
befor
ei knewi ttherewasnoise
outsi
deandi qui
ckl
yr anoutt ofindThoba
beati
ngthecrapoutofNkul u.
Thoba:
“Getupandl
eav
emyhouse”
Nkul
u:“I
’
m sor
rybr
o”
Thoba:
“Getout
!OUTALLOFYOU”
Hewassomadt hatev
ery
onequi
ckl
ytookt
hei
r
t
hingsandheadedout.
Amanda:“Gi
vehim sex
,okay?
”isowant
edt
o
l
aughbutiwasshi
tscared.
Amanda:“Goodl
uckbabe”sheki
ssedmy
cheekandl
eft
.
Thobawasst andi
ngbythepoolwithhishands
i
nhisshort
s.Hewasbr eathi
ngf
ire,iargued
wit
hmy sel
fifishoul
dgotohim ornot.Iwent
tohi
m andtouchedhisshoul
der
s, heletouta
deepbr
eath.Hewasshaking.
Me:
“Baby
”
Thoba:
“Hmmm?
”
Me:
“Whathappened?
”
Thoba:“Vuyotol
dmeaboutwhathappenedi
n
theki
tchen.Aphi
wehetouchedy
ou.Idon’
t
wantanyonetotouchy
ou.”
Me:
“I’
m okaybaby
”
Thoba:
“Aphiwe”het
urnedandl
ookedatme.
Hehadtear
sinhisey
es.
Me:“MrEvans”hesmi
ledandt
ear
sfel
lfr
om
hi
seyes,
iwipedthem.
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“Il
ove.
..
”
Thoba:
“Nobaby .Il
ovey
ou.Il
oveyousoo
much,ican’
timagi
nemylif
ewit
houtyou”
Me:“Ditt
o”hesmi l
edandpull
edmeinfora
t
ighthug.Af
terthatwepull
edapar
tandhe
l
ookeddeepintomyey es.
Thoba:
“Mar
rymeAphi
we”
Me:
“Huh?
??”
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Inser
t41
.
Thoba
.
Iknowt hi
smaycomeacr ossasobsessionand
possessivenessbutbel
ievemewheni saythati
l
ov eAphiwewi thmyentir
ebeing.Thefactthat
therear
emenl usti
ngoverherdri
vesmecr azy
becausei real
lydon’
twanttolosehet.
Fortheveryfirstt
imeinmylif
eiam i
npeace
andhappy .Iwantthi
sfeel
ingtol
astfor
ever
.
Wheni askedAphi wetomarryme,imeanti
t.I
evenhavear ingtoprovei
t.
Ididn’
taskhert
omarr
ymetoputamarkonher
,
iaskedhertomarr
ymesot
hatshecanbe
mineforever
.
Yes,i
hav eanissuewi thmyt emperbutiwill
behave.Shebri
ngst hispeaceinmyhear ,i
’m
ver
ymuchcont ent.Sowear eoutsi
derightnow
andi’
m waiti
ngf orheranswer .
Me:
“Mar
rymeAphi
we”
Aphiwe:“Ier
m...
.i
..
.”shewasstumbli
ngandi
underst
ood.I
twast oosoonforherbuti
was
sure.Imeanwheny ouknowyouknowandt hi
s
i
sonet hi
ngthatiwassureof.
Me:
“What
’swr
ong?
”
Aphi
we:
“It
’st
oosoon”
Me:“Don’
tyoul
oveme?”i
cuppedherf
ace,
her
bot
tom l
i
pwastrembl
i
ng.
Aphi
we:
“Ido,
ireal
l
ylov
eyou”
Me:
“Don’
tyouwantt
obewi
thme”
Aphi
we:
“Al
lthet
ime”
Me:
“somar
rymebaby
.Mar
rymemaSi
shi
”
Aphi
we:
“That
’st
het
hingThoba,
iam nota
Si
shi
.Ihav
easi
ster
,par
ent
syeti
hav
enot
hing.
Nohome”
Me:
“Yourhomei
sher
ewi
thme”
Aphiwe:
“Thoba.
..
”shewhi
sper
edandi
putmy
fi
ngeronherl
i
p.
Me: “Iknowt hatyouwantt ofindyourfami l
y,
youwantt ogot oschool andy ouwanttomake
somet hi
ngofy oursel
f,igetitbutbabyI’
llbe
here.Withyouev erystepoftheway ,AphiweI
l
ovey ou.Ireall
ydo.Pleasemar r
yme.”Shewas
cry
ingandi pul
ledherinmyar ms.Shecr i
edfor
averylongt imeuntili
pulledbackandki ssed
her.
Me:
“Nev
ermi
nd.Ishoul
dn’
thav
e..
.”
Aphi
we:
“Your
egr
etpr
oposi
ngt
ome?
”
Me:“No,i
justdon’
twanttoputy
ouunder
pr
essur
e.I
t’
sokaybaby.”
.
Aphi
we:
“Ij
ustdon’
twantpeopl
ethi
nki
ngi
’
m
her
efort
hemoneyand.
..
”
Me:
“For getaboutpeopl
ebaby
.Forgetabout
t
hem becausepeoplewil
lal
waystal
k”
Aphiwe:“Iwantsomet hi
ngint
imate.Idon’t
havemuchf r
iends,notmorethan50peopl e.
Stef
fiandNdumi will
beourpeopleandsowi l
l
AmyandSphe. ..
”shewast al
kingsofastthati
hadtoatopher.
Me:
“Ist
hatay
es?
”
Aphi
we:“It
’sayes”shesai
dwithasmi
l
e.I
pi
ckedherupandspunheraround.
Me:“Iam goi
ngtomakeyouthehappi
est
womanonear t
h”shegi
ggl
ed.
Aphi
we:
“I’
m scar
ed”
Me:“I
t’
sokayt
obescar
edbuti
’
m her
etobe
wi
thyou”
Aphi
we:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Me:
“I’
m gl
ady
ou’
reonpi
l
l.Iwanty
out
ofi
nish
school
fir
stbef
orewehav
eababy
”
Aphi
we:
“St
eff
iisenoughf
ornow”
Me:
“Wai
ther
e..
.”i
ret
reat
edt
othehouse.
Aphi
we:
“Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Me:
“Toswi
tchont
hel
i
ght
s,st
ayt
her
e”
Aphiwe:“Butthe.
..
”didn’
tev
enwaitf
orherto
fi
nishbecausetheli
ghtsaut
omat
ical
lyswi
tch
on.
Irushedupstai
rstogettheri
ngi bought.I
rushedbackdownstair
sandf oundhersi t
ti
ng
bythepool.Shewasbloodybeaut i
fuliwanted
togot omyneighbourandtel
l hi
m abouther.
Iwentt
oherandsatnextt
oherwi
thourf
eet
di
ppedint
hepool
.
Me:
“Soer
m ar
eyousur
eyouwantt
omar
ry
me?
”
Aphi
we:“It
’sscar
ybabebuti’
m sure”i
sli
pped
ther
ingonherfi
ngerandshegasped,ismi
led
andl
ookedather
.
Me:
“Per
fectf
it
.”Il
eanedov
ert
oki
ssher
.
Wesharedt hi
sslowseduct
iveki
sst
hathadmy
bloodr
ushing,imeanthi
sgir
lmakesmewant
tohaveherallt
heti
me.
Ihel
dherinmyarmsandi f
elli
nsi
det
hepool
wit
hher.Wepul
ledapar
tlaughi
ng.
Aphi
we:
“Chi
l
dishass”
Me:
“Youl
oveme”
.
Aphi
we: “Youwish”shel aughedandswam
away.Shewentov ert
ot heothersideandgot
out
.Shet ookof
fallherclothesanddivedin.I
wasturnedonsobadl yandi real
l
ywant edher.
Me: “You’
ret
ryi
ngtokil
lme”isai
dasir
eached
her.Sheenci
rcl
edherl
egsaroundmywaist
,i
groanedandshegiggl
ed.
Aphi
we:
“Youl
ovesex”
Me:“NopeMrsEvans,
YOUl
ovesex.Whatar
e
youdoi
nggr
indi
ngme? ”
Aphi
we:“Okay
,I’
l
lbackof
f”shel
etgoand
swam t
oacorner
.
Ialsogotandt ookoffmyclothesbutbefor
ei
coulddiveinthehousephoner angandi
stopped.Ther easonwhyistoppedisbecause
peoplerarel
yuseorcallthehousephone.
Me:
“Sor
rybabe,
I’
ll
bebackj
ustnow”
Ir
ushedt
othehouseandanswer
edt
hephone.
Me:
“Ev
ans”
Dad:
“Gett
omyhousequi
ckl
yandbr
ing
Aphi
we”
Me:
“Why
,what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Dad:“Justgether
eson,
bri
ngAphi
we”hehung
up.
Iwalkedoutsi
deandAphi
wewaswr
appedi
na
towelcomingtowar
dsme.
Aphi
we:
“What
’sup?
”
Me:
“Mypar
ent
scal
l
edusov
er”
Aphi
we:
“Okay,
gowell”shesai
dwal
ki
ng
ar
oundmebutihel
dherarm.
Me:“Theysai
dishoul
dbr
ingy
ou,
mydad
i
nsi
sted”
Aphiwe:“Why?Yout
hinktheyknowaboutour
engagement?
”shepanicki
ng.Il
aughedand
pul
ledhertome.
Me:
“No,
it’
sjustust
hatknows”
Aphi
we:
“Okay
.Let
’sgo”
Ipickedherupandwal kedovertoachai r
.Isat
downandbr oughthertomyl ap.Sheditched
thetowelandst r
addl
edme.Shesl owlysank
downmymanhoodandi gr
oaned.She’salways
snugandwar m.Ipul
ledherindeeperandshe
screamedtryingtogetoutofmyar msbuti
heldherinplace.
.
Ist
art
edtomoveanditwasdamngood, her
moansweredri
vi
ngmei nsane.Iheldherup,
shewassquat
ti
ng,herfeetonmyl ap.She
movedupanddowni keptcussi
ng.
Thoba:
“DamnAphi
wessssss.
..t
hat
’ssssssss”
Ikeptmovingandlookedather.Hereyes
cl
osedwi t
hhermout hsl
ight
lyopened.Ipi
cked
upthepaceandshecame.Icamer ightaf
ter
herhol
dingherti
ght.
Istoodupwit
hmesti
lli
nsi
deher
,iwalkedi
nto
thehouset
oourbedr
oom andwetookaquick
shower.
Wegotdr essedrushedov
ertomyparent
s
house.Icouldn’
tkeepmyhandsof
fher.
Me:
“Let
’spul
lov
er”
Aphiwe:
“Forwhat?
”shelaughed.Ipoi
ntedat
mymanhoodwi thmyhead,shelaughed
shaki
ngherhead.
Idr
ovei
nsi
det
hegat
eatmypar
ent
sand
par
ked.Inot
icedthi
sbeastofacarwri
tt
en
Mil
l
erN.Wewal kedinsi
dethehouseandmy
par
entswereinthel
oungewiththi
scoupl
e.
Dad:
“Son,
Aphi
we.Pl
easecomet
hrough”
Wewalkedt
othem andi
coul
dn’thel
pbut
not
icehowmuchthewomanlooksli
keAphi
we.
Shewasner
vous.
Mom:“Thoba,Aphi
we.MeetNobuhl
eand
Ni
chol
asMill
er”
Me:
“Goodev
eni
ng”
Aphi
we:
“Hel
l
o”
Dad:“Ni
ckandNobuhl
eareoldfri
endsofours.
Theycamebackt
olookfort
heirdaught
ers”
Me:
“Okaaay
”
Theyl
ookedateachotheral
lfouroft
hem
communicat
ingwit
htheirey
es.
Mom:“NickandBuhl
eareyourpar
ents(l
ong
si
l
ence)Aphi
we”aaaandmywomanj ustf
aint
ed!
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Inser
t42
.
Aphi
we
.
Iwokeupwit
habangingheadacheandsome
pai
nonmychest
.Icoughedsitt
ingupand
Thobawasonmysideinst
antl
y.
Thoba:“Takei
teasybaby
”hesai
drubbi
ngmy
back.
Me:“I
twasn’
tadream.”Isai
dlooki
ngdownmy
ey
esstar
ti
ngtowater
.
Thoba:
“Iaskedt
hem t
ogi
veussomespace”
Me: “Goodbecausei don’ twantt oseet hem”i
saidget t
ingoutofbed, headingf r
om the
bathroom.Fr om t
hel ooksofi tt
hiswasThoba’ s
oldroom becausei thadhi spi ctur
es,Steffiand
mypi ctureaswell.Itwashugeandcov eri
ng
al
mostt hewholewal l.Istoodt heref
rozen, i
wasr eallypr
essedbuti couldn’tevenmakei tt
o
t
hebathroom.Itur
nedandlookedathi
m,he
wasnerv
ouslyrubbi
nghishead.
Thoba:
“I’
m sor
ry”
Me:
“Forwhat
?”
Thoba:
“Fort
hepi
ctur
e,i
’
m sur
eyout
hinki
t’
s
cr
eepy”
Irushedt
ohim andhuggedhim, t
hisman
al
way ssmell
edgoodwith.Ii
nhaledandhi
s
handwentintomyhairmassagingme.I
moanedandhechuckledpull
ingback.
Thoba:“Fr
eak.Sowhatdoy
out
hinkaboutt
he
pi
ctur
e?”
Me:
“Il
ovei
tbaby
.Thanky
ou”
Thoba:
“Yourdaughterwasher
e,shewassad
toseet
hatyou’
renotwell
.”
Me:
“Pl
easegetherf
orme”
Hewentoutoft
her oom andi
qui
cklywentt
o
t
hebathr
oom.Afteriwasdoneiwashedmy
handsandfacewentt
othebedroom.If
ound
theMil
ler
ssit
ti
ngonthebed,
ifeltsomuch
angerr
aisi
ngup.
.
Mr
sMi
l
ler
:“Baby
,i’
m..
.”
Me:“Whoooahol
ditr
ightt
her
e,i
’
m noty
our
baby
”
MrMi
l
ler
:“Cami
l
la,
yourmot
herandi
..
.”
Me:
“Idon’
thav
eamot
her
”
MrMil
ler:
“Okay,Nobuhl
eandi woul
dli
ket
o
t
alkt
oy ouaboutwhathappened”
Me:
“I’
mreal
l
ynot
..
.”
MrsMil
ler
:“Pl
easegiveusachance,
please.
Af
tert
hatwe’l
lbegone”
Me: “Fi
nebutwhatev
erliesy
outel
lmewi
l
lnot
changethewayifeelabouty
ou”
MrsMi
ll
er:
“NickandI
,weusedt
owor kf
orthe
SAgov
ernmentandwewer
eagents“spi
es”
.
Onedaywewer
esentonami
ssi
onand.
..
”
MrMi
l
ler
:“Baby
,st
artf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng”
Mr
sMi
l
ler
:“Ican’
t”andshebur
stoutcr
ying.
MrMi ll
er:“Nobuhl eandImeti nhighschool
andwehi titonr ightthen.Shewast hepr etti
est,
asy oucanseenow.Whenshewasdoi ngher
fi
rsty earincol l
egeshef el
lpregnantwi thy our
sisterSnenhlanhl aandwhenSnewas3y ears
oldy ourmom j oi
nmei n“ t
hepol i
cef orce”butit
wasn’ tapolicef orce.Itwasadanger ouspl ace
tobei nandr ai seaf ami l
ybutwekeptati tand
gotmar ri
edwhenSnewas5y ear
sol d.When
Snewas10y earsoldy ouwer ebor natt hattime
thingswer ereal l
ytenseandt hecasest hatwe
wor kedonwer ehi ghpr ofi
leandy ourliveswer e
i
ndangersowehadt omov eyou.Wewentt o
Kor eatodel i
versomei nformat i
onwi thour
team butl i
ttl
edi dweknowt hatwewer esent
theret obekilledbecausewe“ knewt oomuch” .
”
Mr
sMi
l
ler
:“I
nthatt
eam of30onl
y3ofus
survived.Yourf ather, Meandy ourfather’
s
brotherKei t
h.Wemadear unf orit,r
unning
from count r
yt ocount ryunt i
l wegothol dofMr
Sibov uwhowasv icepr esidentatt hetime,he
hadbeenwar ningusf orsomet imet hatwe
werei ndanger .Heor ganiz edapl aneforusand
wecameback.Wewenti nt ohidingf or2weeks,
atthet i
met henewsofourdeat hwasal lover
thenews.Wewentt olookf ory oubutour
housewasbur ntdownt othegr ound.Wewent
l
ooki ngfory ouatt hemai d’shousemaSi shi.
Luckilyforyouwef oundy ouhi dingthere.That
wast heni ghtwhenwel efty ouwi thher,you
were2y earsol d.Yourl i
fewasi ndangerandwe
wereont her un”
MrMi l
ler:“Welef
tmaSishiwi t
hsomemoneyt o
l
ookaft eryouandwetooky oursi
stert
oourold
f
ri
endsatuMl azi
tol
ookaf terherandwemade
arunner .
”Hecameandknel ti
nf r
ontofme.I
wassobbi ngandhear
tbr oken.
MrMi
l
ler
:“Babyi
am sor
ryt
haty
ouhadt
ogo
throughthatdif
fi
cultl
if
e.Iwant edyouto,we
want edyoutoli
veandt akingyouwithuswas
goingtoputy ouinsomuchdanger.I ’m sorr
y
forthenight
swher eyouwoul dsleepwithout
food.I’
m sorr
ywef ail
edy oubabybutwehadt o
l
eav e.Wehadt okeepy ousafe”
MrsMill
er:
“Weshoul dn’
tevenbeherebuti
t
wasenoughAphi we,idon’tcar
eanymore.I
don’
tcarei
fi di
enowbecausei sawyoubaby
andyouarebeautiful
”shecuppedmyf aceand
ki
ssedmyl i
ps,withtearsandsnot.
Ijustwentl
i
mpandwai l
ed,MrMil
lerpul
ledme
tohim andl
if
tedmeli
keachil
dtohislap.He
hushedmeki ssi
ngmyfor
ehead.
.
MrMi l
ler
:“Hushbaby
,pl
easest
opcr
ying.
Pleasebaby”hewasr
ubbi
ngmybackunti
li
calmeddown.
Me:“
Wher ei
smysi st
er?
”myv
oicewashoar
se
f
rom al
lthecr
ying.
MrsMi l
l
er:
“Ohmychi
l
d”andshecr
ied,
ilooked
atherconf
used.
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
MrMi l
l
er :
“Shegotmar ri
edtoapsy cho.He
abusedandr apedherbuttheyhav
eabeaut i
ful
daughtertoget
her”
Me:
“Wher
eisshe?
”
MrMill
er:
“SheisatKwaZuluwithheradopt
ive
f
amily
.I’
m sur
eshehatesusjustl
ikeyoudo”he
l
ookedsosad.
Me:“Idon’
that
eyou,
thi
sisj
ustal
ott
otake
i
n.”
MrMi
l
ler
:“Iunder
stand”
Mr
sMi
l
ler
:“So,
you’
reget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
Me:“Yesss”il
ookedatmyringandsmil
ed.I
l
ookedatthem andtheywer
en’tsmi
l
ing.
MrsMill
er:
“Don’
tyout
hinky
ou’
ret
ooy
oungf
or
marr
iage?”
MrMi
l
ler
:“Nobuhl
e..
.”
Me:“Iam marry
ingThoba.Youhav
enosayi
n
t
hissogetoverit
”
MrMil
l
er:“Iam notobj
ect
ingbabyy
ouwi
l
l
mar
ryhim.”
Me:
“Nobuhl
e?”
Mom: “Ofcour
sebaby.Whatev
ermakesyou
happy
”hettear
sfel
lfr
om hereyesandi
fel
tbad.
Me:“Mom, Dad..
.”andshewai
l
edbef
orei
coul
dfi
nishtal
ki
ng
Me:
“Whathappened?
”
Dad:
“Youcal
l
edusmom anddad”i
chuckl
ed.
Me:“Il
ovehi
m dad.Ir
eal
l
ywantt
obewi
th
hi
m.”
Mom:
“butbaby
,mar
ri
age?
”
Me:
“Iam marr
yinghim mom andy
ouar
egoi
ng
t
ogivemeaway.Excuseme”
Iwal
kedoutoft
hebedr
oom andwentt
olook
f
orThobaandStef
fi
.If
oundthem i
ntheki
tchen,
whenStef
fisawmeshewentcrazy
.
Stef
fi
:“Mommy !
”sherantomeandi pi
cked
herup.Ki
ssi
ngheral
loverherf
ace.
Thoba:
“Howdi
ditgo?
”
Me:“We’
l
ltalkabouti
tlat
erbaby”hepl
aceda
ki
ssonmylipsandpull
edusinforahug.
Thoba:
“I’
m her
efory
ouokay
?”
Me:
“Okay
,iwhi
sper
ed”
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ouMr
sEv
ans”
Me:
“Il
ovey
ouMrEv
ans”
Myheadwasbuzzi ngfr
om theinf
ormat ionigot
t
odaybutonet hi
ngiknowisthatinall
t his
mess,Thobaismyheav enandi’
m gratefulto
Godthatihav
ehi minmyl i
fe.
[
06/
11,
22:
43]Ron:
Inser
t43
.
Aphi
we
.
Wegothomeaf t
ermidni
ghtandSt eff
iwas
asl
eepinThoba’
sarms.Wewal kedupstair
s
andputhert
obed.Ichangedherintoher
pyj
amaswhileThobawenttosetthealarm.
Iwentt oourbedr oom andtookof fmyclot
hes.
Isatont hebedr eplay
ingwhathappenedt oday.
Icouldn’tbeli
evethatmypar entsar eal
iv
eandi
haveasi sterbutonethingbot heredmet hough
i
showt heyknewThoba’ sparents.Iwaslostin
thoughtwheni f
eltThoba’sfi
ngergoi ngdown
thebridgeofmyey es.
Thoba:“Whyar
eyouf
rowni
ng?
”heki
ssedmy
nose.
Me:
“Howdoourpar
ent
sknoweachot
her
?”
Hekeptqui
etf
oralongti
meilookedupt
ohi
m
andhewasveryangr
yandiwenttohi
m.
Me:“Hey
,what’
swr ong?”icuppedhi
sfaceand
t
ri
edtoki
sshim buthelookedsidewaysiwas
soconfused.Ibackedawaybuthepul
ledmeto
hi
m hisotherhandwenttoinhi
spocketsand
madeacal l
.
Thoba:“Ican’
tbel
i
eveyoudad.Putmeon
speaker
.Iwanttotal
ktoyouandyourwi
fe”
Me:
“Thoba”i
whi
sper
edandheputaf
ingeron
myl
ips.
Thoba:“Al
lthi
stimeMah,allt
hist
imey
ou
knewaboutAphiwe’
sparentsMahHowcoul
d
you?”hesoundedsoangry.
Me:“ThobaPl
ease”i
pleadedbutt
hel
ookhe
gav
ememademeshutmymout h.
Thoba:
“Whatdoy ouwannacomeher ef
or?
”he
wassoangr y
.Itr
iedgett
ingoutofhi
shol
dbut
heti
ghtenedhishold.
Thoba:“No,youcan’
tcomehere.Byedadand
pl
easedon’tcal
lmeuntili
cal
lyou”hehungup
andthr
ewhi sphoneonthebed.
Me:
“Baby
,what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Thoba: “Al
lthi
sti
me,all
thi
sti
mebabyt hey
knewt haty
ourparent
swereal
ive.Theyknew
whoy ouare”
Me:
“How?
”
Thoba:“Theyar
efr
iendsbaby
.Theyar
ebl
oody
fr
iends”
Me:“I
’m sur
ether
eisanexpl
anat
ion”hej
ust
l
ookedatmeandsmi l
ed.
Thoba:
“Youar
ebeaut
if
ul”
Me:
“Youar
ebei
ngwei
rd”hechuckl
ed.
Thoba:“Iam av
eryluckymanbaby
.Iam l
ucky
tohaveyouinmyli
fe.”
Me:“I’
mthel
uckyoneMrEv
ans”hel
aughed
outl
oud.
Thoba:“Wearebot
hluckybabe.I
’
mti
red.Let
’s
takeashower
”
Iwasal
readywear
ingatowel
andwet ooka
shower
.Wescrubbedeachot
her
’sbacksand
hel
pedeachot
herwash.
Thoba:“Babe,st
opt ouchingmei’
mt ooti
red
forsex.Si
esst
opt ouching”hesai
dlaughi
ng
whilehe’
stheonewhohadahar don.
Me: “Okay
.Iam doneher
e.Letmeleav
ey outo
yourshower”i
attempt
edtoleav
ethebathroom
buthepull
edmeback.
Thoba:
“Notsof
ast
.I’
l
ljustbeami
nut
e”
Me:
“Ami
nut
etodowhat
?”
Thoba:
“I’
l
lputi
tinjustal
i
ttl
ebit
”il
aughedout
l
oudandhegroaned.Hewasreal
lysuf
fer
ing.
Me:
“I’
mtoot
ir
edbabe”
Igotoutt heshowerandhegroanedoutloud
again.Ilaughedandwenttothebedroom andi
l
otioned.Igotinbedandwaitedforhim.Iwas
verynaked.Hecamei n,l
ookedatmeand
chuckled.
Heal
solot
ionedhi
sbodyandworehi
sboxer
s.
Hej
oinedmeinbedandhepul
ledmetohim.I
psushedmyassshaki
ngi
ttohi
smanhoodand
helaughedki
ssi
ngmyhead.
.
Thoba:
“Sl
eepbaby
”
Me:
“Oner
oundbaby
.I’
l
lgi
vey
ouj
ustone”
Thoba:“Nohoneyi
want
edi
tint
heshower
,
nowi’m good.
”
Me:“Babypl
ease”igotcl
osert
ohi
m andhe
swi
tchedof
fthelamp.
Iwassof rustr
ated.Iwantedtosleepbuti
wasn’tti
r edatall.MakinglovetoThobawas
goingtocal m meandmakemesl eepsoi
thoughtofani dea.Igotawayf rom Thobaand
turnedtheot herway .Ipr
etendedtobepleasi
ng
my sel
fi start
edtomoanmov i
ngmyhi ps.
Thobagotupsoqui cklyswit
chingontheli
ght.
Thoba:
“Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Me:
“Aaaahmmmmm”
Thoba:
“Aphiwewhatareyoudoi
ng?
”het
urned
mearoundandil
aughed.
Me:
“Ij
ustwantt
osl
eep”
Thoba:
“Youshoul
dhav
easkedmeni
cel
y”
Me:
“Idi
dnj
e”
Thoba:
“Fi
ne,
come”
Hepull
edmebymythi
ghandwelaughedabout
i
t.Aft
erwewer
edonel
aughi
ngwekissedand
sai
dgoodni
ght
.
*
**
*
**
ThenextMor ni
ngi wokeupear l
yandwentto
makebr eakf
astformyf amil
y.IwokeSt
eff
iup
andbathedher.Afterthati
wokeupdaddyto
j
oinusforbreakfast.
Iwentdownst
air
sandwehadbr
eakf
ast
.
Thoba:
“Sowhat
’st
hepl
ant
oday
?”
Me:
“Iwantt
ospendsomet
imewi
thmy
daught
er”
Thoba:“Weshoul
dtal
ktoherabout
,you
know..
.”
Me:
“Af
terbr
eakf
ast
”
.
Aft
erbreakf
astThobawenttobathandi
cl
eanedaroundthehouse.Af
terthati
wentt
o
changedonl
ytofindThobadoingsomework.
Me:
“Youneedt
ogobackt
owor
k”
Thoba:“Iwi
llbaby
.Whent hi
ngshav
e
qui
eteneddown.Ijustwantt
obeheref
ory
ou
baby”
Me:“Iknowandi appr
eci
atei
t”iki
ssedhi
m
andwenttochangeint
oashortwhit
edressand
myjeanshoes.
Thoba:“You’
regoi
ngoutdr
essedi
nthat
?”he
askedwithasmil
e.
Me:
“Yes,
why
?”
Thoba:“Not
hingbaby
.Ijustwantt
hesucker
s
tolookatmewalki
ngaroundwithaver
ysexy
gir
l”
Me:
“Haha.Youar
ecr
azy
.Let
s’go”
Thoba:
“Let
’sgodosomeshoppi
ng.
”
Me:
“Thobai
.
.”
Thoba:
“Iwasn’
treal
l
yaski
ngy
ou”
IwalkedoutandwenttogetSteff
i.Imadeher
changet opi
nkleggi
ngsandawhitetopwit
h
whit
et akki
esandcap.WewentoutandThoba
waswai ti
ngforusdownstai
rs.
Thoba:
“Mybeaut
if
ulbabi
es”
Wegott othecarandcli
mbedin.Thobadri
ve
outandhisphonerangbuthedecli
nedit
.After
countl
esscall
shefinal
l
yanswered.
Thoba:
“Dad,
we’
l
ltal
klat
er.Iam abi
tbusy
”
T’
sDad:
“Butsoni
..
.”
Thoba:
“By
e”
Wedr ovetothePav
il
ionandweshoppedunti
l
Steff
ifel
lasl
eepinmyarms.Wehadlunchand
l
eft.OnourwaytothecarThobafr
ozeand
l
ookedatt hi
scoupl
ethatwaski
ssi
ngand
touchi
ngeachother
.
Me:“Thoba”hewasfr
ozenonthespot.Ishook
hi
m andhegotsoangryandst
alkedt
ot hem.
Ifol
l
owedbehi ndrunni
ngafterhi
m.Hegotto
thecoupl
eandt appedtheguyonhisshoul
der
.
HeturnedaroundanditwasHi sDadand
Nomzamo! !
!
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Inser
t44
.
Thoba
.
Iwantedtolaugh.Ireal
l
ywantedtolaugh,ihel
d
myselfunti
lcoul
dn’tanymoreij
ustl
aughed.
Theyalll
ookedatmeconf usedbutilaughed
unti
lihadtearsrol
li
ngdownmyf ace.
Me:
“Wooot
hisi
ssooof
unny
” 
Dad:
“What
’sf
unnyboy
?” 
Me:“Nomzamo,
howl
onghast
hisbeengoi
ng
on?
” 
Nomzamo:“Sincehecametoy ouroffi
cewhen
ist
art
edworki
ngforyou”shesaidlooki
ngdown.
Me:
“Soi
t’
shi
schi
l
dyou’
repr
egnantwi
th?
” 
Dad:
“Yout
oldhi
m?”
Nomzamo:“Whatwasisupposedt
odo,
you
don’
twantt
hebabysoi
..
.”
 
Dad: “SoyouwhatZamo?”ij
ustchuckl
ed.I
turnedandlookedatAphi
wewhowascar ry
ing
Steffi
.
Me:“Let
’sgohome”i
tur
nedt
oleav
eanddad
cal
l
edmeback. 
Dad:
“Youwon’
ttel
lyourmom,
right
?” 
Me:
“Hahai
am goi
ngst
rai
ghtt
oher
”
Dad:
“Ohdon’
tbeapussy
”
Me:
“Real
l
ydad?Aphi
we,
let
’sgo”
 
ItookSteffi
f r
om herar msandwewal kedto
theparki
ngl ot.Iwasr eal
lypissedandshocked
butmostofal l gladthatt
hebabywasn’ tmine.
Whenwegott ot hecaristr
appedSt ef
fii
nwhil
e
Aphiweloadedt hebags.Igotinandshewas
sti
lll
oading.
Me:
“Cani
notwai
tfory
ou?
” 
Aphi
we:
“It
’sal
otoft
hingst
oloadand.
.”
Me:
“Youhav
e2handsandabr
ainsohur
ry!
”
Aphi
we:
“Excuseme?
” 
Me:
“Geti
nthedamncar
” 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m noty
ourchi
l
d.Youdon’
ttal
kto
meli
ket
hat”
 
Shelookedsoangryandidon’
tblameher
.I
tookadeepbreat
h.Iwenttoher.Hel
dher
hands.
 
.
Me:
“I’
m aj
erk”
 
Aphi
we:
“Bi
gjer
k”i
chuckl
ed.
Me:
“I’
m sor
rybaby
.It
’sj
ustt
hat
..
” 
Aphi
we:
“It
’sokay
.Iunder
stand”
Me:
“I’
m al
uckyman”
 
Aphiwe:“Yougotthatr
ightl
ucky”ipul
ledherto
meandki ssedher
.Thekissdeepenedandi f
elt
hergri
ndingagai
nstmemoani ng.Ipul
l
edback
l
aughing.
 
Me:
“Let
’sgohome”
 
Wegoti nthecarandi drov
ehome.I ’
m not
gonnalie,mymindwasbuzzi ngwiththoughts
ofdadandNomzamobutmostofal liwas
thi
nkingaboutmom.Thi swasr eal
l
ygoi ngto
breakher.Aphi
wet ouchedmyshoul derandi
snappedoutofit.
 
Aphi
we:
“Ar
eyouokay
?” 
Me:
“YeahYeah,
i’
m good”
 
Aphi
we:
“Ar
eyousur
e?”
 
Me:
“Yeshoney
,i’
m sur
e”i
kissedherhand.
 
Aphiwe:“Goodbecausewemissedt
heturnof
f
goinghome”ilookedatt
her
oadandilong
passedthetur
nof f
. 
Me:
”Fuck!
” 
Aphi
we:
“Language”shescol
ded.
 
Il
ookedforawaybackhomeandi t
ookthe
l
ongwayar ound.Byt
heti
mewegothome
Stef
fiwasawake.Weunloadedthet
hingswe
boughtandSteff
iwant
edtotryoneachand
ever
youtfi
t.
 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m gonnagogetst
art
edondi
nner
” 
Me:
“Okaybaby
” 
St
eff
i:“Okaymommy
” 
Iwentt
othet
.vr
oom andwatchedf
ootbal
l
.I
hadcal
meddownbecauseihaveaver
y
support
ivewomanandasmuchasshei sway
youngerthanmesheisverywi
se.Aftersome
ti
meshegoti nweari
ngashortli
ghtgreen
dressandsocks.Shel
ookedfl
ippi
nsexy .
 
Aphi
we:
“Comebat
h.”
 
Me:
“Comeher
e” 
.

Shewalkedtomeslowlywithherbr
owraised,
whenshereachedmei pul
ledheronmylapand
shegaspedbecauseshesatdir
ectl
yonmy
manhood. 
Aphiwe:“St
eff
iisi
ntheot
herr
oom.Shecoul
d
walkinonus”
Me:“I
’l
lbereal qui
ck”isai
dmov i
ngherpant
ies
t
otheside.Irubbedhercookiej
arandshe
moaned.Isl
ippedinafingerand.
..
Steffi
:“Mommy,wher
eareyou?
”Aphi
we
quickl
yjumpedupandwal
kedawayl
ooki
ng
fl
ushed.Icoul dn’
thel
pbutchuckl
e.Istoodup
aftersomet imeandwenttolookforthem.I
foundt hem outsi
debythepool
. 
St
eff
i:“Daddycani
gof
oraswi
m?”
 
Aphi
we:
“St
ephany
!”shescol
ded.
 
Me:
“Whathappened?
” 
Aphiwe:“Thesuni
sset
ti
ngandshewant
sto
swim” 
Me:“Honeyyouwil
lswi
mtomorr
ow”she
noddedandgotcl
osert
oAphi
weijustl
aughed.
 
Me: “I
’
m goi
ngf
ort
hatbat
h,wantt
oscr
ubmy
back” 
Aphi
we:“Nothanks.Wi
l
lbat
hwi
thmybaby
af
terdi
nner
” 
Iwalkedi
ntot
hehouseandwenttotakea
shower.Mydadwoul
dn’
tstopcal
l
ing.Icl
osed
myphone. 
Af
termyshoweri
wor
eav
estandshor
tsand
retr
eatedbackdownst airs.Wehaddi nnerwi
th
l
ightconv er sati
onandl aughter
.Byt heti
mewe
fi
nisheddi nnerSt ef
fiwassupersl eepysoi
cleanedtheki t
chenwhi leAphiwewentt obath
her.Afteri wasdonei swi t
chedofftheli
ghts
andwentupst air
s.Aphiwewasj ustcomingout
ofSteffi’
sr oom wi t
hat owel wrappedaround
herbody . 
Me:
“She’
ssl
eepi
ng?
” 
Aphiwe: “Yep”shesaidwalkingtoourbedr oom.
Shedroppedhert owelandloti
onedherbody .
Shewasv erysexyandi wenthardrightthat
moment .Iwalkedtoherandheldherf rom
behindkissingherneck.Shetil
tedherhead
givi
ngmemor eaccesstoherneck.It urnedher
aroundandki ssedhermout hbackingheraway
tothebed.Shef el
lonthebedbounci ng.She
l
ookedatmewi ththatsmil
eonherf acei
chuckled.
Me:
“Il
ovey
ou”
 
Aphi
we:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”
 
Ikissedherget
ti
ngontopofher.Iki
ssedthe
sideofherfaceandshemoaned.Iwentdown
toherneckmyt onguer
unni
ngdownher
stomachandi gottoMYcooki
ejar. 
Me:“Spr eadyourlegs,
”Iwhispered,pressi
nga
ki
ssagai nsthershavedcookiejar.Aphiwesli
d
herlegseastandwestsoherbody ’
shidden
tr
easurewasbef oremyl ust
fuleyes.“So
beautif
ul.Openitupforme,baby .
”
.

Wit
houthesi
tati
ng,
Aphiwesli
dherhand
bet
weenherlegsandspreadhert
hickl
i
pswi
de.
Igroanedatthesightofhersti
ffcli
tgli
steni
ng
l
ikeabr i
ghtpinkpearl
.Sometimest hough,i
l
ikedtoplaywi t
hmyf ood.Soinsteadofjust
plungi
ngin,igentl
yeasedonef i
ngerinher
wetnessandt hensmiledathowi tsl
ippedand
gl
i
dedar
oundi
nsi
de.
Aphi
we:“Awww.
”shesi
ghedandcuppedher
br
easts.
Me: “
Youli
kethat
,baby
?”Iasked,
dippi
ngi
na
secondfi
nger
.
Aphi
we:“
Oh,yes,
”shemoanedandt
henbi
t
downonherl
owerli
p.
Me:“I
’mli
ki
ngit,
too.
”Iki
ssedherinnert
high.
“
List
entoyourbody,
baby.
”Ist
rokeddeeper.
“
Hearthat
?”
Me:“
Ssss,baby.
”Isuckedinadeepbreat
hand
t
henrai
nedkissesal
lalongheri
nnert
highs.
“
CanIhavemycooki ebaby?Hhmm? ”
 
Aphi
we:“Y-yes!
”shepant
edasshesqueezed
thet
ipsofherni
pples.
Me:““Thankyou,
baby
,”ipr
aisedandthen
uncur
ledmytonguear
oundthetipofhercl
it
.
Aphiwesighed,
qui
ver
edandgasped.I
fshe
thoughtshewasgoi
ngtogetamomenttotry
andcol l
ecthersel
f, t
henshewassadl y
mistaken.Iremov edmyf i
ngersandplungedmy
tongueindeepandt henwiggl
edmywayt oher
pulsi
ngG- spot
.Aut omati
call
yherhipslif
tedoff
thebedandhermi ndempti
edofallthoughts.
Rightthereinthatmomentwewer einter
rupted
byaknock. .
Stef
fi
:“Mommy
.Daddy
,iwannasl
eepwi
th
you” 
If
ell
onapi
l
lowandgr
oanedoutal
oudf
uck!
[
06/11,22:
48]Ron:Made-
Mai
dJustFor
Hi
m  updat
edthei
rstat
us.

I
nser
t45
.
Aphi
we
.
TosayThobawaspi
ssedwasput
ti
ngi
tmi
l
dly
,
hewasf uri
ousandher eal
lywantedtocontinue
butIcouldn’
tignor
emybabygi r
l.Luckyforme
hewasst il
lful
lycl
othedsoIj
ustputonhi s
tshi
rtandwentt othedoor
.
Thoba:
“You’
rer
eal
l
ygonnaopent
hedoor
?” 
Me:“Wecan’
tleaveherst
andi
ngt
her
ebabe.
Onl
yfort
oni
ght” 
Thoba:“Baby,l
ookatme”Ilookedathi
sshor
ts
andhiserect
ionwasver
yvisibl
e. 
Me:“I
’l
ltakecar
eofitlater
”Iopenedt
hedoor
andhegroaned,
Ichuckled.
 
Me:“What’
swrongsweet
ie?
”IaskeSt
eff
i
pul
l
ingheri
nsi
dethebedr
oom.
St
effi
:“Someonewast
ouchi
ngmei
nmy
sl
eep” 
Me:
“Itwasj
ustadr
eam babycomesl
eepwi
th
mommyanddaddy”
 
St
eff
i:“Real
l
y?”herf
acel
i
tup.
Thoba:“That
’swhatyoucameher
efori
sn’
tit
..
”
hesoundedsoannoyed. 
Me:“ThobaStopit
”Isai
dgi v
inghi
m al
ookand
hej
ustshruggedhi
sshoulders.
 
Hegotinbedandf acedtheotherway.Stef
fi
fol
l
owedandIwentt ocl
eanupsot hatIcanput
onfreshunder
wear.IgotbacktobedandSt eff
i
hadtearsi
nhereyes.
Me:
“Whathappened?
” 
Stef
fi
:“Daddyshout
edatme.Hesai
dIshoul
d
shutup”
 
Me:“Whatthehel
lThoba”Ipunchedhi
s
shoul
derr
eall
yhar
dIhurtmyhand.

Me:“Ouchouch!
”hequickl
ysatupandl
ooked
atmyhand.I
twasreal
l
ypainful
. 
Thoba:
“Whatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
tyouwoman,
coul
dhav
ehur
tyourhand.
” 
Me:
“I’
mfine”Iy
ankedmehand.Helookedat
mesur
pri
sedandsighedl
ooki
ngdown. 
Thoba:“Stef
ficomeher e”shewentovertosi
t
onherfather
’slap.Iwasn’tl
i
steni
ngtothei
r
concer
satiowhenmyphoner ang.I
twasa
numberthatIdidn’tknow.

Me:
“Hel
l
o” 
Cal
l
er:
“Hi
Cami
l
lai
tsDad”
 
Me:
“Ni
chol
as”
 
Ni
ck:
“whathappenedt
odad?
” 
Me:
“Whi
chdad?
”hesi
ghed.
 
Nick:
“Baby
,wher
ear
eyouwewantt
ofet
ch
you”

Me:
“Fet
chwho?
” 
Ni
ck:
“Fet
chy
ou”
 
Me:
“Youandwho?
” 
Ni
ck:
“Meandy
ourmot
her
” 
Me: “Youwanttofetchmenow?Ri ghtt
his
minute?”t
hatsur
egotThoba’ satt
ent
ion
becausehewasst andinginfr
ontofmeina
secondwithaquestioningl
ook.

Ni
ck:
“Yesbaby
”
Me:
“Why
?”
Ni
ck:
“whywhat
?”
Me:
“Whyf
etchmenow?
”
Nick:
“Wewantyoutocomel i
vewithus”I
l
aughedandhungupthephone.Thobalooked
atme. 
Thoba:
“And?
”
Me:
“Andwhat
?”
Thoba:
“Whowast
hatandwhatdi
dhewant
?”
Me:
“Ni
chol
as.Hewant
edt
o“f
etchme”
.

Thoba:
“whatt
hehel
lfor
?”
Me:
“Tol
i
vewi
tht
hem ofcour
se”
 
Thoba:“Isee”hewalkedbackt
obedand
tuckedStef
fii
nbecauseshewasal
ready
sleepy.
 
Me:
“I’
m notgoi
ngt
her
eThoba”
 
Thoba:
“Okay
”henodded.Igotpi
ssedi
nst
ant
ly
It
ookoutmyphone.
 
Me:“Pleasecometothi
saddressyouandy ou
wif
e,l
etmeknowwheny ou’
reatthegate”I
hungupandThobalookedatmeconf used.I
wenttothecl
osett
ochangemycl othes.Hegot
i
nwhenasIwasput ti
ngonmyt -shi
rt.
 
Thoba:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
” 
Me:
“Not
hing.Why
?” 
Thoba:“Youmadeaphonecal
landnowy
ou’
re
changi
ng” 
Me:“Ineedtotal
ktoNi
ckandNobuhl
e.They
ar
ecomi ngover
” 
Iwal
kedoutafterputt
ingonmyj eansandwore
hi
ssleeper
s.Iwalkedrightoutofthebedr
oom
goi
ngdownstairsandhewasf ol
lowingme.

Thoba:“Whydoyouwantt
otal
k?Whatdoy
ou
wanttotal
kabout
?” 
Me:
“You’
rewel
comet
ojoi
n” 
Thoba:
“Babyi
t’
slat
eatni
ghtr
ightnow”
 
Me:
“Ai
boi
tsnotev
en21h00y
et.
” 
Igotbusyintheki
tchenprepari
ngteaand
bi
scuitswhil
stThobawasj ustst
andi
ngthere
l
ookingatmel i
keIjustl
ostmymi nd.Afew
minutesl
atermyphoner angandIanswered
Ni
ck:
“Wear
eatt
hegat
e”Ihungupandbuz
zed
them i
n.Itookthetr
ayf i
ll
edwi t
hteaand
cooki
esandt ookitt
ot heloungearea.There
wasaknockandThobawentt oopent hedoor.
Secondslatert
heyentered,Nicksmil
edbutI
j
ustlookedathim whil
eNobuhl ewasj ustgi
vi
ng
meat t
it
ude.

Me:
“Ev
eni
ng.Pl
easesi
t”
 
Nobuhl
e:“Thi
sbet
terbegood.Youwokeusup
f
rom oursl
eep”
 
Ni
ck:
“Nobuhl
e!”hi
svoi
cewascommandi
ng.
 
Me:“Noletherspeak.Saywhat
evershe
want
s.”
 
Nobuhle:“Idon’tknowwhyy ouaregivi
ngusa
hardti
meaboutcomi ngtostaywit
hus.Wear e
yourparents.St
opactingli
keabrat,wedidn’
t
sendyout opriv
ateschoolsfory
out oactli
kea
bratman!”
Ni
ck:
“Whatt
hehel
li
syourpr
obl
em Nobuhl
e?”
 
Nobuhle:
“I t
’str
ue.Shedoesn’
tknowusy etshe
doesn’
twantt ogiv
eusachance.Ther ear
eso
manychildrenoutthewhowouldkil
lforan
opport
unitytobewi t
hthei
rpar
ents.
”Shewas
nowshout i
ng
Thoba:
“Pl
easekeepcal
m” 
Nobuhle:“Youdon’tgettotellmewhatt
odo.
Thi
smaybey ourhousebutt hati
smydaught
er
sopleasestayoutofthis”
 
Ilookedatherforaverylongti
meandIf elt
tearsrunni
ngdownmyf ace.Iwassoangryand
Thobawashol dingmyhandf rom shaki
ng.I
tookadeepbr eathandspoke. 
Me: “Fi
rstofallifyoudidn’
twanttocomey ou
weresupposedt ostaywherey ouwere.2ndlyI
hearyoutalkingaboutsendi ngmetot hebest
schoolsbutwher edi di
tgetme?Youar enot
mypar ents,worseYOU.Youar enotmymot her.
Amot herwoul dn’thavelef
therchil
drenli
ke
thatandwhentheyfoundoutaboutthest
ate
thei
rli
veswerein,t
heywouldhaveleft
everyt
hingt
ogot othei
rdaught
ers….”
 
Ni
ck:
“Cami
l
lababy
…”

Me: “Iam notdone.Youar enotmypar ent

s.I
hadt osleepwi t
hwat eronlysomet i
meswith
nothingatall.Iwouldgot omynei ghbour
s
houseatni ghtandhi detowai tforthem t
odish
upfort hedogst heirlef
tov
er s,Iwouldeatwit
h
thedogsbecauseIhadnof ood.Yousent
moneyt othatevilwomanbutshewasmor eof
apar entmor ethany oueverwoul d” 
Iwassobbi
ngandThobat
ri
edt
opul
lmei
nhi
s
ar
msbutIquickl
yst
oodup.
 
Me:“Youhadt ogo.Itwasdangerous,y
ouwere
supposedt ocomeandgetus.Theydi dn’
tfi
nd
youalltheseyear
s,youwer eli
vi
ngtheeli
fe
whil
ey ourdaughter
swer esuff
eri
ng.Allt
his
stuf
fabouty ounotbeingabletocomegetusis
Bul
l.Youaresel
fi
shandIhopeyougobackt
o
whateverhol
eyourcr
awl
edfrom.”
 
Thoba:
“Baby
,pl
easecal
m down”

Me: “IfoundThobaorratherhef oundme.He

i
smar ry
ingmeNick,wear egetti
ngmar r
iedand
guesswhat ?Iam hi
smai d.Yes,Icamehereto
workasamai dbuthefoundmeandhesaw
somet hingi
nme.Hel ovesmemor ethat
anyonehasev erl
ovedme.Her espectsmeand
nextyearIam goingbacktoschool .
” 
Ni
ck:
“Isetupat
rustf
undf
ory
ourt
uit
ion”
 
Me:“That’
sallyouknow.Moneymoneymoney .
Whataboutyou?Ineededy ouforaverylong
ti
me.Imournedy oubutyouwer eneverdead.
Youwereenjoyi
nglif
ewher ev
ery ouareand
nowyouwantt ocomeher eandmake
deci
si
onsforme? ” 
Ni
ck:
“Honeyt
hati
snotwhatImeant
” 
Me: “IunderstandthoughImeani t’
severyman
forhimselfri
ght?Don’twor r
yaboutme.Idon’
t
hateyoubutIal sodon’tlov eyou.Thankyouf
or
showingy ourselv
estomebuty oucannowgo
backtowher ey oucamef rom becauseIno
l
ongerneedy ou”Isaidthatandwal kedout
goingbackupst air
swi t
ht earscloudi
ngmy
eyes..
.

#Bi
rt
hdayS/
OtoNont
obekoMoy
o.
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:


SeePhot
os

Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m
I
nser
t46
.
Aphi
we
.
Igottot heguestbedr oom andi lockedt he
door.Iwentt o,buri
edmyheadont hepillow
andi cri
ed.Iwai l
edinf act
.Icri
edbecausemy
parentsdidn’tt
ryhar dertokeepme.Icr ied
becausei hadasi sterandshemi ghtresentme
whenshemeet sme, ifshewant stomeetme.I
cri
edbecauseoft hewayThobal ookedatme
downst air
s,hepiti
edme, iwantedt odie.Icried
unti
li r
anoutoft ears,thatiswhenThoba
start
edt oknockandhewasknocki ngv ery
harshly.

Thoba: “Aphi
we,opent hedoor!”hewas
poundingont hedoorbutijustcri
edsi
lent
ly.He
keptknockingandaftersomet i
mehest ar
ted
t
obegmet
oopenup.
Thoba:“Baby
,pl
easeopent
hedoor”i
justkept
qui
etandhekeptbeggi
ngmeunti
lhegaveup.
Igotupfrom thebedandwenttowashmyf ace.
Igotbackt ot
hebedroom t
otryandgetsome
sl
eepbutt her
ewasaknocky etagai
nbutthi
s
ti
meitwasSt effi
.
Stef
fi:
“Mommy ,
pleaseopenupformeand
daddy”shespokeinhersoftv
oicewant
ingt
o
cry.
Stef
fi
:“Pleasemommy .Please”t
hatbrokemy
heart
.Igotupandwenttot hedoorandopen.
Assoonast hedooropenedThobaat t
acked
mewi thahug.
Thoba:
“I’
m sosor
rybaby
.Pl
easedon’
tshut
meout” 
Me:
“Thobai
..
.”hepl
acedaf
ingeronmymout
h
t
oshutmeup.
Thoba:
“Ij
ustwantt
obet
her
efory
ou.Pl
ease
baby
,don’
tpushmeaway
”
Me:“Okay”i
gotemoti
onal
all
overagai
nand
hepul
ledmetohim.

Thoba:“I
’
m her
ebaby,i
am goi
ngnowher
e.I
promisey
oumylove”
 
Me: “Thank.
..
.y
ou..
” 
isobbed.If
eltasmall
hand
onmyf ace.ThobahadpickedSteff
iupand
theywerebothlooki
ngatme.
Thoba:“We’
l
lgott
hrought
hisbaby
.Asaf
ami
l
y,
okay?”
 
Me:
“Okay
” 
Thoba:“Come,l
et’
sgotobed.”Hetookmy
handandpull
edmet oourbedr
oom.Assoonas
Stef
fi
’sheadt
ouchedthepil
l
ow,shewasout.
 
Me:
“Di
dyouhav
ewakeherup?
” 
Thoba:
“Iknewifiwokeherupy
ouwoul
dopen
nomatterwhat
” 
Me:
“Cani
asky
ousomet
hing?
” 
Thoba:“Bef
oreyouaskihav
esomethi
ngt
otel
l
you,pl
easedon’
tint
err
uptmepl
ease”
 
Me:
“Okay
”hehel
dmyhandsandki
ssedt
hem.
Thoba:“Ilovey ouAphi
weCami ll
aMi l
l
erandi
am goingtomar r
yyoubei tbychoiceorfor
ce.
Youaregoi ngtobeMr sEv ansbeforethisy
ear
ends.Ilovedyoubeforei knewabouty our
parent
s, i
loveyounow, ifnotmore.Ineedy ou
toknowt hatiam herefory ou,
donotpushme
awaybaby .PleaseMrsEv ans.Just.
..
” 
Iwascr
yingandit
hrewmysel
finhi
sar
ms.
Howdidigetsol
ucky? 
Me:“Thanky
ouSabel
o.Il
ovey
ousomuch.So
somuch” 
Thoba:
“Whatdi
dyouwantt
otel
lme?
” 
Me:
“Me?Tellyousomethi
ng?Naah,i
for
got”
wel
aughedandheheldmeinhisar
msagain.
 
Thoba:
“Whenar
eweget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
” 
Me:
“Idon’
tknow”

Thoba:“Aphiwei wasseri
ousbaby
,youhav
eto
gobacktoschool andnextweekweare
conduct
inginter
views”
 
Me:
“Whati
nter
views?
” 
Thoba:
“Housekeeperi
nter
views”
 
Me:
“Youar
efi
ri
ngme?
” 
Thoba:
“Yesi
am”
 
Me:
“Ihav
eoner
equestt
hough”
 
Thoba:
“Yes?
” 
Me:“Canwegetsomeoneold,
waayyol
d..
”he
br
okeint
olaught
erandl
ookedatme.
 
Thoba:“I
tisyourhouseandwhaty
ousay
goes”wekissedandgotint
obedwit
hStef
fii
n
themiddl
e. 
Me:
“Thoba?
” 
Thoba:
“Yesbaby
?”hey
awned.
Me:
“Il
ovey
ou”
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ouev
enmor
e”i
fel
lasl
eepaf
ter
that
.
♤♡♤♡♤
♤♡♤♡♤
Thefol
lowi
ngmor ningiwokeupbothfather
anddaughterwerenoti
nbed,ifi
gur
edt hey
wentoutortheyaredownstai
rssoiwentto
takemyshower. 
Theev ent
soft hepr
evi
ousnightcamebackand
somehowi gotsadal
loveragain.If
eltacol
d
breezeandsecondslaterThoba’sar
mswent
aroundmywai st.
Thoba:“Pl
easedon’
tcr
ybaby
,wewi
l
lget
thr
oughthi
s” 
Me:“Shehatesme.I
’
m sur
eshewi
shesi
was
nev
erborn”
 
Thoba:“
Babythat
’snott
rue.Thati
sn’
ttr
uebaby
,
youareabl
essingmylove” 
Me:
“Thobai
.
..”
 
Thoba:
“No,iam notgoingt
oletyoudot
hist
o
your
sel
f.Youar
eamazi ngmywife” 
Me:
“Howdi
digetsol
ucky
?” 
Thoba:
“Yougav
emeat t
it
udewheny
ouf i
rst
cameheret
oworkforme.Nowstopcry
ingand
comedownandeatbreakfast
”

Hegotoutt heshowerl eavingmet ofini

shwith
myshower .Isteppedput ,wrappedat owel
aroundmybody .Ilot
ionedanddr essedi nmy
underwear.Ialsowor emyv eryshor tshort
s,
greybum shor tsandawhi tevest.Iputonhi s
sleepersandwal keddownst ai
rs.Wheni
enteredthekitchenThobachockedonhi s
food. 
St
eff
i:“Mommy
.”Sher
ant
omeandi
picked
herupki
ssi
ngherf
ace.
Me:
“Mor
ningbaby
”
St
eff
i:“Mor
ningmommy
.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul”
 
Me:
“Thanky
oubaby
.Mor
ningThoba”
 
Thoba:“Mor
ning.Ar
eyoucomf
ort
abl
eint
hat
shor
t?”
 
Me:
“Yesi
am”
 
Thoba:
“It
’snotev
enashor
t.I
t’
sapant
y” 
Me:
“Youdon’
tli
kei
t?”
 
Thoba:
“Il
ovei
t”hesaidashi
shandt
rav
ell
ed
upanddownmythigh.

Wesatdown, St
effisai
dgr aceandwehad
breakfastwithsil
lyconversati
onf i
ll
edwi t
hvery
confusingSt ef
fij
okes.Afterbreakfastwe
cl
earedupt hetable.Iwashedthedi shes,
half
wayt hroughacal lcamet hroughf r
om an
unrecognisednumber .
Me:“Hell
o”t
heper
sonj
ustbr
eat
hedanddi
dn’
t
sayany
thi
ng.
Me:“I’
m notev
engoi
ngt
orepeatmy
sel
f,y
ou
t
alkorihangup” 
Call
er:“Hi.
..
i.
..
uhm. ..
.gotyournumberf rom t
he
PImyf at
herhired.Mynamei sSinenhlanhl
a
Mashego.Ihav ebeenl ookingforyou.I’
my our
si
ster”ij
ustfroze.Notknowi ngwhatt odoor
say.Thobagoti nthekitchenandaskedme
what’sgoi
ngon.Il ist
enedt othecall
erand
hungup.
Thoba:
“Baby
,what
’sgoi
ngon?
’ 
Me:
“Thatwasmysi
sterSne”
 
Thoba:“Howdi
dshef
indy
ou?Whatdi
dshe
want?”
 
Me:“Heradopti
vef
atherhi
redsomeone.She
want
stomeet .
” 
Thoba:
“Meet
,when?
” 
Me:
“Now,
she’
satt
hegat
e”
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t47
.
Aphi
we
.
Iwassuperscar edandshaking.Idi
dn’tev en
wantt oopent hegatebutThobawentand
openedt oldmet ogetchanged.Iwenttoputon
somej eansaf t
erthatiwentbackdownst air
s.I
heardv oicesasiwasapproachingthelounge
area.Ifrozebythedoor,ever
yonestopped
tal
kingandl ookedatme.Thobagotupand
camet ogetme.

Thoba:
“Come.I
t’
sokay
,comewi
thme”he
pul
ledmebymyhandandwewentt
ositdown.
 
Ther
ewer
e2womenandoneguy
.Bot
hthese
womenwer eincredibl
ybeautif
ul.Onehadan
afro,
freaki
shl
ybeaut i
fulwi
thadi mpl
eandt he
otheronelookedj ustli
kemebutanol der
versi
onofme.Theguyl ookedli
keaGr eekgod,
hehadcar amel skinandheseemedr eallyt
all
.

Thoba:“GoodMor
ning.MynameisThoba
Evans.Howcanwehelpyouthi
smorni
ng?
” 
Lady1: “Morni
ng.Mynamei sSihl
eDl ami
ni,
thisismyhusbandSbusisoDlaminiandmy
sisterSne.Wehave.
..
” 
Sne:“Ihav
ebeenlookingforyouforsucha
l
ongt i
me.Eversi
nceourfathertol
dmet haty
ou
exi
stihadtolookfory
ouandf indyou”ij
ust
cri
ed
Me:
“I.
.i
..
.uhmmm.
.”
 iwast
onguet
ied.
Sne:“It
’sokay
.Youreal
lydon’thav
et osay
anyt
hing.Ij
ustneedyoutoli
sten”inodded.
Thoba:
“Any
onef
orcof
fee?
”hesai
dst
andi
ng
upandi
hel
dhi
shandpul
l
inghi
m down.
 
Me:
“Don’
tleav
eme”

Sihle:“SbuandIwi l
lmakecof fee.Comebabe”
theyst oodupanddamn, theylookedeven
bet t
ertoget
herstandingup.Theyaskedtobe
directedtotheki
tchen,aft
erthatwesatquiet
ly
l
ooki ngateachother.Bothofuswer ecry
ing.
Sne:
“I’
m sor
ry”
Me:
“Youdi
dnot
hingwr
ong”
 
Sne:“Imetagoodfamil
ybuti
twasonl
yin
var
sit
yandtheytookcar
eofme.Whotookcar
e
ofyou?”
 
Me:
“Ihadsomeonewho.
.”
 
Sne:“I
tshoul
dhavebeenmeAphi wewhen
theydi
edyouwereminetotakecareof
.You
weremineandif
ail
edyou” 
Me:
“Youdi
dn’
tknow”
 
Sne:
“Iwassel
fi
sh”
 
Me:“Stopsayi
ngthat.Youdi
dn’
tknowt
hati
wasali
ve,t
hatiex
isted.When0di
dyouf
ind
out
?”
Sne:
“Yester
dayaft
ernoon.Iwastednoti
me,
i
hadtocomegetyoubuti wastoolat
e”

Me:
“Tool
ate?
” 
Sne:
“Ri
ng?
”shesmi
l
ed.
 
Me:
“Oh,
MrEv
ansgav
eitt
ome”i
blushed.
Sne:
“If
igur
ed”
 
Wekeptquietandiknewinmyhear tthatwe
hadalotofthi
ngswehadt otal
kabout .Si
hle
andherhusbandcamebackwi thcoffeeandwe
j
ustfel
li
ntothi
ssil
enceunti
lSihlespoke.

Si
hle:
“SoAphi
wey
ou’
renotst
udy
ingatt
he
moment?
” 
Me:
“Nope”
 
Si
hle:
“Doy
ouwantt
o?”
 
Me:
“Thobai
staki
ngmenexty
ear
” 
Sihl
e:“That ’
sgood.Iwasgoi ngtohavea
conversati
onwi thhim withmygun”andthe
room brokei nt
olaughter.Snewastheonlyone
whowasn’ tl
aughing.Shekeptcryi
ng,ist
oodup
andwentt osqueezemy selfi
nthatoneseater
coucht hatshewassi tt
ingonandputmyar m
overhershoul derandshewai l
ed.

Thoba:“We’ll
giveyouti
metotal
k”theytook
theusercupsandwalkedtot
hekitchen.Sne
andimov edoutsi
deandwesatbyt hepool
withourcoff
ees. 
Sne:
“Iam soashamed”
Me: “Li
stentomeokay?Iam f
ine.Isur
viv
ed
plusyoudidnotknow.St
opdoingthist
o
yoursel
f.Pl
easestopi
t.
”
Sne:“I
t’
sjustthatidon’
tremembermuch
aboutmychildhoodanditseemsli
keiwas10
whenwesepar ated”
Me:
“Howdi
dyoumeety
ourf
ami
l
y?”
 
Sne:“Si
hleandI ,
wemetinCollegeandwe
wereroommat es.Att
heti
mei wasstayi
ngwith
thi
sotherfamil
yfrom KwaMashu.Itwasreal
l
y
hardandasy oucanseeSihl
e,sheiscl
assyso
herfamil
ytookmei n”
Me:
“Sihlei
sreal
lybeaut
if
ulandican’
tshake
t
hefeel
i
ngthatihaveseenhersomewhere” 
Sne:“She’
sroy
alt
y”i
spi
toutmycof
feei
n
shock.
 
Me:
“She’
swhat
?”andshel
aughed
Sne:“She’
saqueen.Wel
lSbuwasbor
na
pri
nceandSihl
emarri
edhi
m”

Me:“Oooohthat
’snice”shegotser
iousand
cametokneeli
nfrontofme. 
Sne: “Honeyi’
m sosor r
yaboutal lofthi
s.I
’m
sorryyouhadt ogrowupf astandalone.The
thought.
..
thethoughtofy ou..
..
alonejustki
ll
s
me.Ishoul dhavestayedwi thyouwhenour
parentsdied”
 
Me:“I
t’
sokay.Ipromi
sei
t’
sokay
.I’
mfi
ne”i
wi
pedhertear
s. 
Me:
“Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou”
 
Sne:
“Soundsser
ious”
 
Me:“Ourpar
ent
s,t
heycamet
oseeme.They
ar
e..
.”
 
Sne:“Whatdoy oumeancametoseey ou?
”
ri
ghtthen,
rightthatmomentThobacame
outsi
dewithNi ckandNobuhl
e.Nobuhl
elooked
atusandwai led.Ni
ckwasjustf
rozen.
 
Sne:
“Okay
,What
’sgoi
ngon?
” 
Me:“Snenhl
anhlaMashego,meetNi
chol
asand
Nobuhl
eMi l
l
er.Ourpar
ents”
**Sorryf
ortheshor
tinser
twillpostagainl
ater
.
It
’sjustt
hatwearegetti
ngreadyf or
assessmentsandassignmentsafterthatt
hey
star
twr i
ti
ngthei
rexamssot hereisalotof
mar ki
ngtodo.Sorr
y**
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t48
.
Aphi
we
.
Thingswer esuchamess.Ireall
ydidn’
tknow
whatt osayordo.Luckil
yThobawasar ound
andhewaswi thmewhenhel lbrokel
ose.Sne
wasbusycussi ngoutNickandNobuhl e.Sihle
andSbuwer etr
yingtocal
m herandme, iwas
chil
ledasev er
.Thebashingthatourparents
weregettingwasv er
ymuchdeser vebuti was
real
lyworriedaboutSnebecauseshewoul dn’
t
stopcryi
ng.Sihlemadeacal landafterawhil
e
shecamebacksay ingthatherparentsar
eon
thei
rway.IcalledThobaasideandaskedi fhe
wantstocallhisparentsoverbuthejustsai
d
hismom isont heway.Hecalledherwhenmy
parent
scame.
Me:
“Whatabouty
ourdad?
”
Thoba:“Canwenottal
kabouthim,pl
ease
baby?”heaskedwi
thhi
seyespleadi
ng.I
nodded.
Me:
“Thi
sissuchamess”
 
Thoba:
“Tel
lmeabouti
t”
 
Minut
eslaterMrsEvanscamerushi
ngi
nand
t
hesightthatshesawshockedher.

Mr
sE:
“Whatonear
th?
” 
Nobuhl
e:“Nonhle,ohNonhlei
t’
ssuchamess”
MrsEwenttohugher .Thobaandil
ookedat
eachot
herconfused.
Thoba:
“What
’sgoi
ngonher
e?”
 
Everyonestart
edtalki
nganditwassomuch
noiseiquickl
yrushedinsi
dethehouse.Iwent
upt oSteff
i’
sroom andi f
oundherplayi
ngwith
hertoys.Igotinandsatdownnextt oher.My
heartratewasv er
yhighandijustneededto
cal
m down.
St
eff
i:“Mommy
.Ar
eyouokay
?” 
Me:
“Mommyi
sokaysweet
hear
t.Whati
sit
?” 
Stef
fi
:“Mommyi scr
ying”iqui
ckl
ywipedmy
tear
s.Idi
dn’
tev
enknowt hatiwascr
y i
ng.
 
Me:“Ahhhmommydr anktoomuchwater
”she
gi
ggl
edandputherl
i
ttlehandov
erhermouth.
St
eff
i:“Real
l
ymommy
?”

Me: “Yes,
comeher e”ipul
l
edhertomyl apand
rockedher.Ifeltsomuchcalmer,
shef el
l
asleepinmyar msandmoment sl
aterthedoor
opened.Ididn’tevenlookt
oseewhoi twas
becausei
knewi
twasThoba.
Si
hle:
“Aphi
we?
” 
Me:
“yes”It
urnedar
oundsoqui
ckl
ysur
pri
sed.
Si
hle:
“Myparent
sar
eherebutbef
orewecoul
d
godownst
air
scanwetal
k?”
 
Me:
“Okay
”shewentt
osi
tonSt
eff
i’
sbed.
Si
hle:
“So,
howar
eyou?
” 
Me:“If
eel
somessedupr
ightnow.Iam
hur
ti
ng”
 
Sihl
e:“Iknowbaby .Iknow.Yoursi
sterl
oves
you,shelovesyousomuchandshehat esthat
youhavet ogetcaughtupinalloft
his.
”

Me:
“It
’sokay
.I’
l
lbef
ine”
 
Si
hle:
“Baby
,ar
eyouhappyher
e?”
 
Me:
“Excuseme?
” 
Si
hle:
“Ar
eyouhappyher
e,i
nthi
spl
ace?
” 
Me:
“Thi
spl
acei
smyhomeandi
’
m happy
” 
Sihl
e:“Okay,i
didn’
tmeanitinabadwaybut
areyoureadytogetmarr
ied?Imeanwhatdo
you.
..
.” 
Me: “Okaystopri
ghtthere.Myparentstri
edto
stopmef rom marry
ingThobaandi tol
dt hem
thatil
ovehim andwear egett
ingmar r
ied.I
knowy ou’
retry
ingtohelpbuti’
m okaythanks
foryourconcern”

Si
hle:“I
’
m sorr
yifi
over
steppedbuti
was
l
ookingoutf
oryou”
 
Me:“Iappreci
atei
t”shepul
l
edmeinforat i
ght
hugandkissedthesi
deofmyfacecount
less
ti
mes. 
Si
hle:
“Your
eady
?” 
Me:
“Yep”
 
Weheadedout,wentdownst
air
sandever
yone
wasseat
ed.Inoti
cedthi
smid-f
if
ti
esandt
hey
l
ookedincr
edibl
eespeci
allyt
heoldman.What
’s
upwit
hgorgeousment odaybutinallt
hat
gor
geousnessmybabyt akesthecake.
Me:“Mor
ning”andever
yonegr
eet
edback.I
wentt
osi
tnexttoThoba.
Oldman:“Ier
migotacall
from Si
hlet
ell
i
ngme
aboutacommoti
onand.
..
”
MrsE:
“Excuseme,
idon’
tmeant
ober
udebut
whoar
eyou?” 
Oldman:“I’
m sorr
yf orthat
.MynameisBheki
Zuluandthi
sismywi f
eSenamil
e.Sneand
Si
hleareourdaughters” 
Nobuhl
e:“Ex
cusemebutSnei
syourdaught
er
wi
thwhosesperm?
” 
Mr
sE:
“Nobuhl
e!”

Ni
ck:“Nobuhl
eplease”andshesayback
f
oldi
ngherarms.
Bheki
:“She’
smydaught
erbecauseweadopt
ed
herwhen.
..
” 
Nobuhle:
“Ohandnowweshouldthankyou
becauseyouadopt
edher
”Bheki
chuckl
ed
shaki
nghishead.
Nick:“Nobuhl
eify
oudon’tshuti
t.
..
”hi
sv oi
ce
carri
edsomuchauthor
it
yi sawmymot her
fl
inch.
Bheki
:“Asiwassayi
ngbefor
eiwasrudel
y
i
nterr
upt
edbyaveryrudewoman,
i.
..
.”
 
Nobuhl
e:“Whydon’
tyougoaheadandsayi
t.
Saymyfuckenname”
Me:“STOP!Nobuhlepleasest op,
ifyoudon’
t
wantmet obehearpl
easel eave.You’v
edone
enoughdamageasitis.Pleasego, i
fyoudon’
t
wanttobewithusgoandnev ercomeback.”
Thoba:“Cal
m downbaby
”hesai
drubbi
ngmy
back.
Me:“I’
mjustti
redhet.Iam ti
redofNobuhl
e
andherst
inki
ngattit
ude.Youaretheonewho
l
eftus,
youchoset osaveyourownliv
esand
l
eftustosuff
er.Youseparatedusandyouare
comeheretel
li
ngusbul l
shit
” 
Bheki:
“Okaybaby ,okay.Wehear dyou
st
handwasami ,
justsi
tdown.We’ vegotitand
wehear dyou,we’l
lsorti
toutbaby.”Idi
dn’t
evenreali
sethatiwasst andi
ng.Thobapulled
met ohim andijustcr
ied. 
Bheki:“I’
m notgoi ngtotakemucht i
me
becauseev eryonei snotinagoodspacer i
ght
now.SoSnecamet ousaski ngforhelpt olook
forherrealfami l
y.Wesear chedev erywhereand
managedt of i
ndthatshehadasi ster,ali
tt
le
sist
erAphi we.Thati swhywear eheret oday,
Snewant edt omeethersi st erbutshegott o
meetherpar entsaswell.Wehav eheardal lwe
wanttoher ef rom themot her ,
couldwehear
from t
hef atherplease?”
Nick: “Erm* cl
earst hr
oat”mynamei sNick
Miller
.Fat herofSi
neandAphi we.I’
m notgoing
togobackonwhathappenedbackt henbuti
knowt his, t
hechoicest hatwemadet hi
nking
wear epr otecti
ngy ouwasact uall
yselfi
shandi
am sor ry.Iknowi t’
st oolatenowandy ouguys
hav egr ownbutpl ease, pl
easefinditinyour
hear t
st ogi veme, giveusachancet oearnyour
forgiveness”  
Mr sE: “uhm thankyouev er
yoneforthi
s
mor ningandt ell
i
ngt het
ruthbecauseri
ghtnow
ithinkit’
stimei tol
dmyt rut
h.Aphiweiknow
youpar ents,iknewthem beforeyouguyswere
evenbor n..
.” 
Thoba:
“Mom what
???
!”her
oar
ed.
Bheki
:“Letherf
ini
shson”
 
MrsE: “Sowhenthi
ngswentsouthoneofus
hadtostaysowestayedandierm wel
liwasa
Drbeforesoihy
pnoti
sedyou”
 
Thoba:
“Youwho?
” 
Mr
sE:
“SneandAphi
we”
 
Ev
ery
one:
‘WHAT?
??!
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t49
.
Aphi
we
.
Ican’tev
enbegi ntodescri
behowIwasf eel
ing.
Ij
ustzonedoutandwentt othisdarkcoldplace.
Icouldn’
thearanythi
ngorany one.Iwasjust
aloneandIwant edtostaythereforev
er.Iwas
goingtostaytherebutThoba’spainedvoice
broughtmebackt omysur roundingsandI
l
ookedar oundme, ever
yonehadt hisconcer
ned
l
ookont heirf
ace.Thobawassi t
ti
ngont he
fl
oorandhewascr yi
ng. 
Dad:
“Baby
,ar
eyouokay
?”Inodded.
Bheki:
“AphiweIneedyout
oanswermemy
baby.Arey
ouokay?” 
Me:“Yes”IwhisperedandIfel
ttearsr
ushi
ng
downmyf ace.Icoveredmyfacewithmyhands
andsobbed.Iwaspulledupbystrongarmsand
i
twasThoba, Icaughtitonhi
sscent.

Thoba:“Iam sosorr
ybaby .Iam sorry
.Iam
sorr
y”hewhisperedoverandov eragainIj
ust
cri
ed.Aft
ersomet i
meIcomposedmy self
.I
musthavelookedhorri
blefrom al
lthecryi
ng.I
evenhadaheadache.LuckilyIwasi na
rel
ati
onshi
pwi t
haDoct or.
 
Thoba:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
” 
Me:
“Ihav
eaheadache”
 
Thoba:
“Letmegogety ousomemeds”he
at
temptedt
ostandbutIstoppedhi
m.
Me:
“Pl
easedon’
t,
don’
tgo”
 
Thoba:“I’
m comi
ngback”Ishookmyheadand
hesighed.

Sne:“Letmegetyouwater”Inoddedand
l
eanedmor eonThoba.Icr
iedsil
entl
y.
 
Thoba:
“Pl
easebaby
.Pl
easest
opcr
ying”
 
Me:
“Youmustt
hinkI
’
m amessofaper
son”
 
Thoba:“Mymess.Mi
neandmi
neal
one”I
sni
ffed.
Snecamebackwi
thagl
assofwat
erandI
drankt
hegl
assi
nonego.
 
Sne:
“Mor
e?”
 
Me:
“Yespl
ease”
 
Si
hle:“I
’
llmakey
oucamomileteatocal
myou
downokay?”myeyesj
ustf
il
ledwit
htear
sandI
nodded.
Bhekiandhiswif
ecamet
otal
ktomeassur
ing
met hatt
hingsar
egoi
ngt
obeokay.Ni
ckal
so
came,hehuggedandpi
ckedmeupspi
nni
ng
mearound,causi
ngmetogiggl
e. 
Me:
“St
ooop!
”Igi
ggl
edl
oudl
y.
 
Ni
ck:“Youusedt
olov
ethi
swheny
ouwer
e
smal
l
”  
Me: “I
tlooksl i
keIsti
lldo”hegav emeasad
smileandIki ssedhischeek.Hewast r
ying,
unl
ikehisbitchwi f
ewhowast hrowi
ngme
daggersandIcoul dn’thel
pbutwonderwhatI
di
dwr ong.Sihlecamebackwi thmyteaand
ki
ssedmyl ips.Sheknel ti
nfrontofmeandSne
al
socame.  
Sihl
e:“Iknowy ouwanttomar ryThobaand
seei
nghowmuchhecar esforyouI’
m goingto
al
lowit.Youmustbewonder i
ngwhyI ’
m
makingt hi
smybusiness,youaremybusi ness.
Youaremyl i
tt
lesi
sterki
dandIl ov
ey ou.Iwil
l
dowhat everIcant
opr ot
ectyou.Okay ?
”I
nodded.
Sne:“Il
ovey ou.Iam gladIfoundyouandIam
neverl
ett
ingy ougo.Rightnowt hi
ngsseem a
messbuti t
’sgoingtogetbetterand…”
 
Bheki
:“Canwegat
herint
hesi
tt
ingroom pl
ease,
It
hinkthetabl
ewi
l
laccommodateal
lofus”
Ever
yonewentint
hehouse,
Iat
temptedt
ogo
butThobapul
l
edmeback.Helookedsosad.
Thoba:
“Youwon’
t…l
eav
e?”
 
Me:
“Leav
ewher
e?”
 
Thoba:
“Leav
eme?
” 
Me:“Iain’
tgoi
ngnowhere”hepul
ledmet
ohi
m
andpressedhi
sli
psonmi ne.Wewere
i
nter
ruptedbySbucl
ear
inghisthr
oat.
Sbu:“Wear
ewai
ti
ngf
ory
ou”hewal
kedback
i
n. 
Me:“I
twasnicerbei
ngfami
lyless”Thoba
t
hrewbackhi
sheadlaughi
ngloudly.
 
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
 
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”

Wewalkedi
nsi
det
hehouseandBheki
gav
eme
anev
ill
ook.
 
Bheki:“Beforewecont i
nueIwanty outoknow
thatAphiweisasmi neassheisy oursNi ck.I
knowabouty ou2(NickandNobuhle)andI
knowt hatyoubeinghereit
’sahuger iskandwe
couldgetkill
edforj
ustbeingherewi t
hy ou.I
knowt hatyouhaveaf ewdaystil
ltheynot ice
youareback.Sowheny ougobacki ntohi dingI
wanttot akeAphiwetocomel i
vewi thmeand
Sena.”
 
Me:
“What
??No!
” 
Si
hle:
“Qui
etki
d” 
Bheki:
“Iam sorr
yi fyoufeeloff
endedNobuhle
butwhenSihl
ecamehomewi t
hSneIknewt hat
wehadt omakeheroneofus.Sowewi l
ltake
Aphiweasours.Ithinkit
’sti
mey outol
dyour
chi
l
drenjusthowmuchdeepshi
tyouar
eby
j
ustbei
ngher e”
 
Ni
ck:
“Wemi
ghtnotmakei
toutal
i
ve”
 
Sne:
“Whydi
dyoucomeback?
”sheshout
ed.
Nick:“Nobuhl
e;shef
orcedme.Sheforcedfor
ustocomeback”Iwasr eal
l
yshocked.Itur
ned
andlookedather.
 
Me:“Why?”shekeptqui
et.Al
lthi
stimeshe
wassi
tt
ingfacedownonlythenIreal
isedt
hat
shewascryi
ngthi
swholetime. 
Nobuhl
e:“I’
m sorr
y.Idon’
tmeant
obeabi t
ch.
Aphi
we,Sney ouarebothsogr
ownup.Youno
l
ongerneedmeandt hatkil
l
smedeepinsi
de”

Me:
“Whyhav
eyoubeenmeanandcol
d?”
 
Nobuhle:“Iam soangryAphiwe.Iam angryat
thegover
nment .Iam angryf
ornotfi
ghting
harder
.Iam angrythatyouhadabadchi ldhood
butmostlyIhat
emy sel
f”
 
Ni
ck:
“Baby,
pleasedon’
t.
.”hepl
acedahandon
t
opofher
s.
Nobuhle:“Whatkindofmot herleavesher
chi
ldr
en?Iam soashamed.Ij ustwantedyout
o
hatememor esothaty
ou’llneverwanttosee
meagai n.Iam suchadisgr
ace”shewas
sobbi
ng.Itbrokemyhear t
.

Sne:“Mahpl
ease…”Nobuhl
equi
ckl
ylookedup
toSneandcr
iedhar
der.
 
Thoba:
“Mah,
wher
edoy
ouf
iti
n?”
 
MrsE:“LikeIsai
dwewer efr
iendsandIhadt
o
hi
desomememor iesf
rom y
ousot haty
ou
woul
dn’taskanyquesti
onswheny ougr
ewup.”
 
Thoba:
“Al
lthi
sti
memah,
youknew?
” 
Mr
sE:
“I’
m sor
ry”
 
Bheki:
“Weneedt
ofi
nishquicklysothatNi
ck
andNobuhl
ecangobacktonight.Li
keIsai
d
Aphiwewi
ll
moveinwit
h…” 
Me:“Iam notdoingnosucht
hing.Iam st
ayi
ng
her
eandmar ryi
ngThoba” 
Bheki
:“Youwi l
lmarr
y.Af
tery
ouf
ini
shschool
”I
l
aughedsarcasti
cal
l
y. 
Me:
“Why
?Thoba?
” 
Thoba:
“Wewoul
dli
ket
ogetmar
ri
edsoon.
” 
Bheki
:“Noty
et.
” 
Si
hle:
“Baba…”hegav
eheradeadl
yst
are.
 
Me:“Iam marr
yingThoba.Iam marry
inghimi
n
3months.I
fyoudon’tl
ikethat
,ther
eisthe
door
!”
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Inser
t50(
ver
yshor
t)
.
 
Thoba
.
 
Idon’
tknowhowAphi weissurvi
vi
ngallofthi
s
butal
liknowisthatsheisver
ystrongandthat
mademef al
ldeeperinlovewi
thher.Sheis
goi
ngthroughsomuchandshesti
llhasfi
rei
n
her
.Ifi
twasmei woul
dhavefai
ntedlongago
*j
okes*
 
Afterthatoutburstshehadaboutifanyone
want stostandinourwaymustl eave,she
stoodhergr oundandwai t
edforthem toleave.
Whennoonel ef
tshesatdown,shewasv ery
angry.
Bheki
:“Ij
ustwantwhat
’sbestf
ory
oubaby
” 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m happywher
eiam”
 
Me: “Canwetalk?
”iaskedAphi
we.Wewalked
outtotheki
tchenandihel
dherhandski
ssi
ng
them.
Me:
“Ar
eyousur
ethi
siswhaty
ouwant
?” 
Aphi
we:
“Youwantmet
ogo?
”

Me:“What?Ofcoursenot
.Iwantyoutobesure
babybecauseoncewegobackthere,
ther
eis
notur
ningback” 
Aphiwe:“I
’m sur
eThoba.Wehav
epl
ansandi
am surebaby”
Me:
“Okay
.Il
ovey
ou”
 
Aphiwe:“Il
ov eyoutoo”i pul
ledhertomeand
ki
ssedher.Theki ssstart
edsl owandsensual
butweendedupgoi ngabi tfastandver
ydeep.
Myhandsal l
ov erher.Ipull
edbackwhenshe
star
tedgri
ndingagainstme.  
Aphiwe:“Whenar
ethesepeopl
eleavi
ng?”she
askedinahuskyv
oiceherey
esclosedi
chuckl
ed.
Me:
“Wel
ltheyar
eyourf
ami
l
y” 
Aphi
we:“Your
stoo.Whydi
dn’
tyoucal
lyour
dad?
” 
Me:
“Canwenott
alkabouthi
m,pl
ease?
”

Aphi
we:
“Youguy
shav
etosor
tyourshi
tout
” 
Me:
“Language”Iki
ssedher
. 
Aphiwe:
“Iam t
ir
ednow.Let’sgobacki
nso
thatwe’
l
ltal
kandthesepeopl
ecouldl
eave”
 
Me:“It
’sal
mostov
er.Babe,
whatar
eyougoi
ng
t
otell
them?”
Aphi
we:
“I’
m st
ayi
ngr
ighther
e” 
Me:“Let
sgo.”Ikissedherf
inger
sandpul
l
ed
hert
othedi
ningar ea.Weweremetbymymom,
Nobuhl
eandSihle’smom. 
Aphi
we:
“Leav
ingal
ready
?” 
Mom:
“We’
regoi
ngt
omakel
unch”
 
Aphi
we:
“Oh…”
 
Wewentt ot
hedi
ningroom anditwasonl
y
BhekiandNi
cki
ntheroom therestwer
e
outsi
desowedeci
dedt ogojoi
nthem.

Aphiwe:“Lunch?Ar
etheymov i
ngin?
”I
chuckl
ed.Assoonaswest eppedout
sideSne
rushedt
oAphi weandpul
ledherawayfrom me
soIhadnochoi
cebutt
ogochi
l
lwi
thSbu.
 
Me:
“Woul
dyoul
i
keany
thi
ngt
odr
ink?
” 
Sbu:
“I’
m goodfornow”Inoddedandwef
ell
i
ntothi
ssi
lence.
 
Me: “Beauti
ful
wif
eyouhav
ether
e”he
chuckled.
 
Sbu:“Toobeaut
if
ulbutt
hatbeaut
ycomeswi
th
shi
tsometi
mes” 
Me:
“Why
?” 
Sbu:
“Ihavetochasemenawayf rom her.She
i
ssexyandtothi
nkthatshechoseme…i tsti
ll
amazesme”

Me:
“Youhav
eanyki
ds”
 
Sbu:
“Yep.5”Icoughedandhel
aughed 
Me:
“What
?” 
Sbu:
“Wel
li
ts4now.Ourl
i
ttl
eboydi
ed”
 
Me:
“Sohowol
dar
ethey
?” 
Sbu:
“Theyar
eal
lthesameage.18mont
hs”
 
Me:
“That
’sni
ce”
 
Sbu:
“Howol
disy
ourdaught
er?
” 
Me:
“She’
s4.Tal
kst
oomuch”
 
Sbu:
“Howser
iousar
eyouaboutAphi
we?
” 
Me:
“Iam v
eryser
iousabouther
” 
Sbu:“Don’tgetmewr ongandwhatBheki
suggestedit
sjustthatSnehashadt hemost
dif
fi
cultfewyearsandshewoul dlov
et otake
careofhersist
ersopl easel
ethergostudy
and….”
 
Me:“Excusemebutwhyar
eyouf
ight
ingt
his
r
elat
ionshi
p,al
lofy
ou?
” 
Sbu:
“Justl
ooki
ngoutf
orAphi
we”
 
Me:“Yeahwel l
she’
smi net
otakecar
eofandI
l
oveher.Iam notl
ett
inggoofher
” 
Sbu:
“That
’st
heanswerIwasl
ooki
ngf
or.Don’
t
hurther
.Lordknowshowmanyt imesI
’vehur
t
Sihl
eanditalmostbrokeher
.Aphi
welooks
fr
agil
ejustbegentl
ewi t
hher”
 
Me:
“You’
vehadpr
obl
emswi
thSi
hle?
”

Sbu:“Dude,y
ouwil
lnev
erbel
i
eve.I
’
m sur
pri
sed
shestucki
tout”
 
Me:
“Shemustr
eal
l
ylov
eyou”
 
Sbu:
“She’
smywhol
ewor
ld.Takecar
eof
Aphi
we”
 
Me:
“Isur
ewi
l
l” 
Sbu:
“Your
eal
l
ylov
eher
,don’
tyou?
” 
Me:“Maaan,
sheknocksmeoffmyf
eet
.Ev
en
myexwifedi
dn’
tmakefeel
thi
sway”
 
Sbu:
“Exwi
fe?Howol
dar
eyouboy
?” 
Me:“Yesexwi
fewel
lshedi
edany
way
s.I
’
m
25.
” 
Sbu:
“25andy
ouhav
eadeadwi
fe”
 
Me:
“Man,
that
’sast
oryf
oranot
herday
”
Sbu:
“I’
l
lhol
dyout
oit
” 
Me:
“Il
ovet
hatshe…”

Therewasaveryl
oudcommot ioncomingfr
om
thehousesoIqui
cklyr
ushedinandmymom
waskicki
ngandscreamingi
ndad’sarms,
Nomzamowast herewit
hahandonher
stomachandshehadasmugl ookonherface.
 
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
” 
Mom: “It
’snotenoughthaty ourf
at heris
fucki
ngherundermyr oom, hebringsherher e
tooandnowshe’ spregnant.Howcoul dyou
Jake?Youknowv er
ywellthatgir
l sleptwit
h
yoursons” 
Dad:“Nonhl
epl
easecal
m down.You’
l
lgetsi
ck
agai
n” 
Mom:
“Whosef
aul
twi
l
litbe?
” 
Dad:
“Baby
,pl
ease”
 
Mom: “Baby?Sav
eitJake.Iam t
ir
edofy
our
cheat
ingass.
”Shesoundedsodefeat
ed.
 
Dad:
“Nonhl
eno…”
 
Mom: “Iam divorci
ngyoursorr
yass”shet
hrew
thespoont hatshewashol di
ngdownandshe
walkedupst ai
rsleavi
ngmev erypi
ssedand
confused 
Me:
“whyar
eyouher
edad?
” 
Dad:
“Ineededt
otal
k….
tot
alkt
oyourmot
her
.”
 
Me:
“gohome.Gi
vehert
imeandspace”
 
Dad:
“Ican’
tloseherThoba”
 
Nomzamo:“Jake,
didn’
tyousayyou’
lldi
vorce
herandmarr
yme?Thisisourchancebaby”she
cl
ungonhisarm.

IWASNEVERREADY!
!!
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Inser
t51
.
Aphi
we
.
Iwasr eal
l
yconf used,howcanmyl if
et ur
n
upsidedowni namat t erofhours?Myheadwas
buzz i
ngandi r
eal l
yneededabr eak.Ineededto
restandineededmydaught er.Il
eftthem
standingt
her eandwentt ocheckonNonhl e.
Shewasi nt heguest room itwasl ockedand
shewashy st erical.Iknockedf orgood5
mi nut
esaftert hati wentt oSteffi
’sroom andi
foundheront hef loorwi t
hhert oys.Iwasso
shocked. 
Me:
“Whendi
dyougetup?
” 
St
eff
i:“Longago”
 
Me:
“Whydi
dn’
tyoucal
lme?
” 
St
eff
i:“Youwer
ebusymommy
” 
Me:
“Iam nev
erev
erbusyf
ory
oubaby
,okay
?” 
St
eff
i:“I
’
m sor
rymommy
” 
Me:“I
t’
sokaybaby
.Comeher
e”shequi
ckl
y
st
oodupandsmashedi
ntomybody.
 
Ipickedherupandwal
kedtoherbed.Il
ay
thereandcuddl
edwit
hher.
 
St
eff
i:“Mommyi
wantt
opl
ay”
 
Me:
“Youdon’
twantt
osl
eepwi
thmenow?
” 
St
eff
i:“Ido.Ido.Okayl
et’
ssl
eepl
i
ket
his”

Ipull
edhert omeandi nhaledonherhead.She
smelledli
keababy .Isattherethinki
ngabout
howmuchofamesst hi
ngsar e.Isatand
thoughtthatthr
oughev er
y t
hing,eventhough
thi
ngswer eamessi wassur ethatThobaisthe
onei wanttomar r
yandi willmarryhim. 
Imusthav
edosedof fbecauseiwaswokenup
byThobapickingmeupfrom St
effi
’
sbed.I
openedmyey esandl
ookedathim.Hesmiled
atmeandcar ryi
ngmetothebedroom.
Me:
“Wher
eisSt
eff
i?”
 
Thoba: “Amandatookher
.Youneedtorest
.A
l
otoft hingshav
ebeenhappeni
ngandyouneed
tobreathe” 
Me:
“Wher
eisev
ery
one?
” 
Thoba:
“Downst
air
s.”
 
Me:
“Howl
onghav
eibeenasl
eep?
”
Thoba:
“Af
ewhour
s” 
Me:
“Andy
ourmom?
” 
Thoba:
“Downstair
swi t
hev
ery
oneandy
es,
Nomzamoissti
l
l here”l
Me:“Cooki
emustbegoodt osl
eepwi
thall
the
Ev
ansmen”i soundedr
eal
l
yannoyedandhe
wi
nced.
Thoba:
“Sor
rybaby
”hesai
dlooki
ngdown 
Me:“Mcim”iwasreall
yirr
it
atedandThobawas
j
ustbeinganui
sance.Igotofft
hebedad
headeddownst
air
s.Thewomenwer ei
nthe
kit
chencooki
ngandt
heguy
swer
ewat
chi
ng
footbal
l
. 
Nobuhl
e:“Aaahyou’reawake.”Igavehera
ti
ghtsmil
eandwentt othefr
idgetot akean
appl
e.Someoneclearedthei
rthroatanditwas
Nobuhl
e.Shewasst andi
ngrightbehindme. 
Nobuhle:
“Canwet al
k?”Shel
ookedand
soundedner
vous.
Me:“Come”i walkedoutsideandinoticedthat
t
heweat herwaschanging.That’
sDurbanf or
you,
sunnyday sendinrain.Wewentt ositby
t
hebenchundert heshade.Nobuhlelookedso
t
ense. 
Nobuhle:
“Iam l
eavi
ngtoni
ght
,wear
eleav
ing
yourf
atherandi
.Ourti
meisup.
” 
Me:
“Okay
”itwasr
eal
l
yawkwar
d.

Nobuhle:“Honeyi
am sor
ryforbeingabitch
aboutevery
thi
ng.I
’
m sosorr
y.Ijustfeel
so
gui
l
ty,
idon’
tknowwhattodo.Ican’
tfor
giv
e
mysel
fforl
eav
ingy
ou” 
Me:“Ikeephear
ingpeopl
esay
ingt
haty
ouguy
s
ar
eindanger”
 
Nobuhl
e:“Noti
fwel
eav
etoni
ght
” 
Me:
“Whyar
eyouont
her
un?
” 
Nobuhle:“Wehav esomethi
ngthatcoul dbri
ng
theenti
reworldtoit
sKneesandi fwear efound
heretheywil
lkil
lusandtheywi
llkill
you.Icant
l
etthathappenandi knowyouhat emebaby
butgiveyourf
atherachanceatleast.”
 
Me:
“Youdon’
twantachance?
” 
Nobuhl
e:“Ido.Ij
ustr
uinedev
ery
thi
ngandi
’
m
sosorr
y” 
Me:“Iguesswecoul
dtr
yandseewher
eit
t
akesus” 
Nobuhl
e:“IspoketoSneandshei
swi l
l
ingt
o
l
ist
enbutfornowbabywehavetogo”shewas
cry
ingandNickappear
edandhewalked
t
owardsus.Hecameandpul l
edmeupf ora
ver
yti
ghtandwarm hug.Iwasver
yemot ional
.
Heheldmeforalongti
meandmyf eetwerein
t
heairif
eltl
i
keababy .

Hefinall
yletmegoandNobuhl ecametohug
mei justcri
ed.Shehuggedmelikeamother
.It
f
eltsogoodandwar mi di
dn’
twanttol
etgo.
 
Nick:“Wehav
etogonowbaby”hewastal
king
toSnewhowascli
ngingt
ohim.Wewereboth
cryi
ngandNobuhl
ekeptr
ubbi
ngmyback. 
Nobuhle:
‘It’
sokay
.Wewill
seeeachot
her
soon”shecuppedmyfaceandki
ssedmy
for
ehead. 
Me:“You’
l
lcometomyweddi
ng?
”iwasa
weepi
ngmess. 
Nobuhl
e:“Iwouldn’
tmissi
tforany
thi
ng”she
ki
ssedmylips.Ismi
led.
 
Me:
“Comebackt
omemom”herey
eswat
er
evenmor
e.Shewassoshockedshel
etouta
sob.
 
Nobuhl
e:“I
’
llcomeback.Ipr
omi
se”
 
Nick:“I
t’
sti
me.Comeseeusof f”i
shookmy
headnoandi wenttositbythebenchmyback
faci
ngthem.Iheardthem saygoodbyeto
every
oneandi j
ustwailed.If
eltsomeone
huggingme. 
Sne:
“Theywil
lcomeback.Pl
easedon’
tcr
y.
Youarebr
eaki
ngmyheart”
 
Me:“Wejustfoundthem Sneandnowt hey
havet
oleave.Whatisitt
hatwedidthatweget
tobepuni
shedliket
his?”

Sne:
“Thi
ngsar
egoi
ngt
owor
koutj
ustf
ine.
”
Me:
“Youpr
omi
se?
” 
Sne:“Ipr
omiseyoukid”sheki
ssedmy
for
eheadandsqueezedme. 
Thoba:
“Mayi
?”heaskedSne.
 
Sne:“Byal
lmeans”shest
oodupandwal
ked
backint
othehouse.
 
Thoba:
“Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”hepul
l
edmet
o
hi
slap.
 
Me:
“Idon’
tknow”
 
Thoba:“Whydi
dn’
tyoucomeseeof
fyour
parent
s?”
 
Me:“I’
m notaf
anofgoodby
es”heki
ssedmy
f
orehead 
Thoba:
“Doy
ouneedany
thi
ngbaby
?” 
Me:“Justneedyout
oholdme”andhedidhold
me.Heheldmet i
ght
.Isnuggl
edcl
oserandi
cl
osedmyey es.
 
Thoba:
“Don’
tfal
lasl
eep”heki
ssedmyey
es.
 
Me:“Iwon’t
.Sowher
eisy
ourf
atherandhi
s
babymother?
” 
Thoba:
“Nomzamol
eftanddadi
sint
he
house.
” 
Me:
“Howi
syourmom?
” 
Thoba:‘
Noti
nagoodspaceatal
lbutshe’
l
lpul
l
thr
ough”
Me:
“Issher
eal
l
ypr
egnant
?” 
Thoba:
“Yepandi
t’
sdad’
schi
l
d” 
Me:
“Howsur
ear
eyou?
”iaskedl
ooki
ngatme.
 
Thoba:“Ionl
ysl
eptwithNomzamotwi
ce.Once
waslongagoandrecentl
ywhen.
..
” 
Me:“Yeahigeti
t.Sowhydoy
ousayi
t’
syour
f
ather
’schi
l
d?”
Thoba:
“She’
s3mont
hspr
egnant
” 
Me:“OhGodallofthi
sistoomuch.Ineeda
br
eakandyoudecidedtosendmydaughter
awaywi
thoutt
ell
ingme”

Thoba:
“I’m sor
rymyl ov
e”wefell
int
othi
s
comfor
tablesil
ence.Fewminut
eslat
erSi
hle
cal
ledusinforl
unch/br
anch/di
nner.Wewenti
n
thr
oughthekit
chentofreshenupandwewent
tojoi
nthem i
nthedini
ngr oom.
 
MrsEvansey
eswer
eswoll
enandMrEv
ans
l
ookedamesshi
mself
. 
Bheki
:“Aphiweiam gl
adwefoundyoubut
unfor
tunat
elyweal
sohavet
ogo”  
Si
hle:“Wewouldhav
elovedtotakeyouwi
thus
butitseemsDrEv
ansbeatustoit”
 
Sne:“Iam happyt
ohavef
oundy
ouandi
plan
onseeingyouever
yweek”
 
MrsZulu:“Chi
l
d,takecar
eofy
our
sel
f,y
our
husbandandchil
d” 
Sne:“Il
ovey
ouki
d”i
smi
l
edwi
tht
ear
sinmy
eyes.
 
Me:
“Thanky
ouev
ery
one”
 
Bheki
:“Takecar
eofherboybecausei
fyou
don’
t,
youhavemetodealwit
h”
Thoba:
“Yessi
r”

Weatourf oodandt herewaslaughter,

sharing
ofstori
esitwasl ovelyupuntilt
heyhadt oleav
e.
Itwassadt oseet hem gobutitcomf or
tedme
thatihadaf amil
yandi wouldseethem
whenev eriwantedto.Theyhadhel pedus
clear
ingupt hehousesoev er
ythi
ngwascl ean.
Thobaandi wentupst ai
rswhil
ehisparents
wenthome.Wewer eleftal
oneonceagai n.
 
Thoba:
“Sowhatnow?
” 
Me:
“Wesl
eep?
” 
Thoba:
“Nahweal
way
ssl
eep”
 
Me:
“Wel
lidon’
tknow.
” 
Thoba:
“Let
’sgowat
chamov
ie”
 
Me:
“Downst
air
s?”
 
Thoba:
“Gat
eway
” 
Me:
“Gr
eati
dea”
 
Hepull
edmei
nhi
sarmsandl
ookedatme.He
l
ookedatmef
oral
ongt
imeandsai
d; 
Thoba:“Iwi
ll
marryyoubaby
.Youwil
lbeMrs
ThobaEvansandiwil
lmakeyouver
yhappy
you’
ll
nevercr
yagain”
 
Myheartwasjumpingupanddown.Ilookedat
thi
smanandi tol
dmy sel
fthati
wil
lhol
dont o
himti
l
lthever
yend. 
Thoba:“Babyy
ouwer
eMadeJustForMe”and
imelt
ed.

Theeend 
.
.
.
.
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m
I
nser
t52
2mont
hsl
ater
.
Aphi
we
.
Thingshav ebeenlookingout .Mypar ent
swer e
backinJapanandsaf e.Myr elat
ionshipwith
SneandSi hlehasgrown.Iev enwentt oSihl
e’
s
palace.Turnsoutthebabyt hatNomzamoi s
pregnantwithisthi
sot herguywhol i
vesbyher
compl ex,
shetoldhim andhedeni edit.Afew
weeksl at
ertheguycameandaskedf or
forgi
veness
MrandMr sEvanshav en’thadt hebestof
ti
mesbutatleastshewaswi l
li
ngt ogivehima
tr
y.MeandThoba, thingshavebeenbl i
ssful
man.Sogreatthatiwakeupev erydaythi
nki
ng
i
tsadream.Wear e2weeksf rom ourwedding.
Yes,t
heweddingist hatsoon.Wedeci dedona
winterwedding(July).Wedidhav
elobol
a
negotiat
ions.Hehemypar entswant
edThoba’s
familytofl
ytoJapanandt heywerewil
li
ngto
gobutmypar ent
sr ockedup3dayslat
ersay
ing
theywer eonlyj
oking.

AmandaandSnedon’ tgetalongmuchbecause
Snekindofj udgedAmandasay ingthatshe
wantstot akeoverbecauseshet hi
nksshe
knowsi tallandshei
sbet t
erthanher.Sihl
eon
theotherhand, t
heybecamebestf ri
endswith
Amandai twasamazi ngsomet i
mes.They
wouldcomet omyplaceandsl eepover.
 
Sotodaywear egoi ngtoMi nty
’sboutiquein
Overportformydr essfit
ting.Iopt edfora
fi
sht
ailboottubecr eam dresswi t
hlotsofbead
weakont hebodicepar t
.Mymom, Thoba’s
mom andSi hl
e’smom i nsistedt hatiputona
vei
lbecausehet ookmyv i
r gini
tyimagine.The
col
ourthatwechosef ortheweddi ngisrust
wit
hat ouchofl
i
ghtpink.SoweareatMi nty
’s
andtheladi
esar
etry
ingont hei
rdresses.
Amandai smymatr
onofhonour .

Me:“Comeoutal
ready!
”ishout
edf
rom t
he
coucht
hati
wassitt
ingon. 
IncameSneandshel ookedbreat
htaki
ngi
nher
offshoulderkneelengthdresswit
hherdar
k
cream shoesi j
ustscreamed. 
Me:“OhmyGod!Youl ookssoooamazi ng!
!”
shebl
ushed.Rightaf
terisaidthatSi
hlecame
outweari
ngherspaghettij
ustbelowtheknee
ski
nti
ghtdressandshoest hatlookl
ikeSne’s.I
wenttoherandjumpedinf r
ontofherlikeakid
wit
hcandy.

Me:“Youlooksensat
ional”andfi
nall
yAmanda
cameout.Okayl
etmegi vey ouadescri
pti
on
Amandaismedium heightwithanassforday
s.
Veryli
ghtcompl exi
onwit
hbeauti
fulski
nand
l
egs.ShecameoutandSi hl
eandIscreamed.
Shelookedgor geouswi
thheroneshoulder
abovethekneepi nkdr
esswitharustbeltand
l
ightcream shoes. 
Me: “Ohmywor dyoul
adiesl
ooksensat
ional
”
andt heybeamed.Sneseemedsourbutli
ke
Sihl
esai dishoul
dn’
tmindhersoidi
dn’t
. 
Si
hle:
“Nowi
t’
syourt
urn”
 
Me:
“Myt
urnf
orwhat
?”i
askedl
aughi
ng.
Amanda:
“Don’
tmakemebeaty
ourass.
”

Iwalkedtothechangi
ngr oom andoutonmy
dress.Tookme15mi nutestobef ul
lydressed.
Theonl yt
hinglef
twasshoesbuti gotout
wearingthedressonl
yandt hei
rjawsdropped.
Il
ookedatthem ner
vousl
yandSnejustwal
ked
outoft
heroom leav
ingmeconfused.
Si
hle:
“Youl
ookbr
eat
h-t
aki
ng”
 
Me:“Thanky
ou”iwhisper
ed.Iwasf
eel
i
ng
emoti
onal
.Amandatookmyphoneandface
ti
medwithmymother.

Amanda:“Heymah.Pl
easehol
d”andshe
tur
nedthephonemywayandNobuhl
ejust
cri
ed.
Mom:“Ohmybabyy
oul
ooksobeaut
if
ul.Iwi
sh
iwast
her
e”
Me:“You’
l
lseemei
n2weekst
ogi
veme
away”
 
Mom:
“Ican’
twai
tbaby
,youl
ookamazi
ng!
” 
Me:
“Thanky
oumom”
 
Wespokesomemoreandwehungup.Sne
camebackafewmi
nutesl
aterwi
thSi
hle.She
l
ookedsour
.

Me:
“Whathappened?
” 
Si
hle:
“We’
l
ltal
klat
er”
 
Wefinishedtr
yingev
erythi
ngonandwewentt o
hav
el unchatMusgraveCentre.Thobacal
l
edas
wewer eplaci
ngourorders.

Me:
“Aphi
weHel
l
o” 
Thoba:“Fuckno.Youmuststartansweri
ngthe
phoneasMr sEvans”i
laughedandtheladies
l
ookedatme.  
Me:
“Howar
eyoumyl
ove?
” 
Thoba:
“Imi
ssy
ou”
Me:
“ar
en’
tyouwi
tht
heguy
s?”
Thoba:
“Iam butcan’
timi
ssmywi
fe?
” 
Me:
“Imi
ssy
out
oobuti
’
m wi
tht
hel
adi
es”
 
Thoba:
“I’
l
lseey
oul
aterMr
sEv
ans”
 
Me:
“Seey
oul
aterMrEv
ans”
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ouandonl
yyou”
 
Me:
“Hmmmm”
 
Thoba:
“Aphi
weman!
” 
Me:“Ilovey
outoo”il
aughedandhungup.The
l
adi
eslookedatmeandi pr
etendedtobe
r
eadingthemenuandSihl
epulledi
tfr
om me.
 
Si
hle:
“And?
” 
Me:
“Andwhat
?” 
Si
hle:
“Whatdi
dhesay
?” 
Me:“Hejustmi
ssesme”al
lthi
sti
meSnewas
j
ustqui
et.

Me:
“Snear
eyouokay
?” 
Sne:“Isai
di’mfine.It
’snotenought
hatiam
for
cedtobepar tofthisweddingnowyouare
for
cingmet otal
k” 
Me:
“Noonef
orcedy
ouSne”
 
Sne:“Yeahri
ght
,canwejustgetov
ert
his
al
readysoicangobackhome”  
Me:
“Whyar
eyoubei
ngl
i
ket
his?
” 
Sne:“Mar
ri
ageisn’
tal
lthat.Youar
etooy
oung
tobemaki
ngstupidmistakes”
 
Me:“Yeahwel
lthi
sisMYmar
ri
agesol
etme
makemyownmi stakes”
 
Sne:“Don’tcomet omewhenheabusesand
rapesyou.Don’tcometomewhenhetreat
s
youli
keshit.Don’t
..
..
”

Si
hle:
“Snet
hat
’senough!
” 
Sne:
“don’
tsayi
didn’
twar
nyou”
 
Me:“Noonef orcedy
ouint
odoinganyt
hing.No
oneisf
orcingyoutobeher
e.I
fyoudon’twant
tobepartofthi
sweddingt
henbyall
meansGo!
Leav
e!”
 
Amanda:
“Youdon’
tmeant
hatAphi
we”
 
Me: “Idomeani t.EversinceThobaandI
start
eddat i
ngwehav ebeenf i
ghti
ngforour
l
ov eandy ouguysknowi t.Youwer ether
ebut
nowt hatigetthi
schancet ohappi
nessyou
wantt orui
nitSne,youcangoandnotbepar t
ofthiswedding.Idon’tcareanymor e”
 
Istoodupandwal kedoutoftherest
aurant.I
heardSihlecal
li
ngmynamebutmyheadwas
buzzing,bef
oreiknewitiwasdizzyandtheni
fai
nted.
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t53
.
Thoba
.
Theweddi
ngdatei
sverynearandican’
twaitto
marr
ymyAphiwe.Imeanshewasmadef orme.
Shei
sever
ythi
ngandsometimesigetscared
t
hatshewill
meetsomeoneherageandleave
me.Sotodayweweregoingf
orourf
it
ti
ngi n
t
own.Iwaswi t
h2fri
endsofmineMnqobiand
Msi
zi.
 
Weopt edfornavysui
ts.Theywer egoingt o
wearcoatsandpantwhi leioptedf orawai st
coatandpants.Wef i
nishedwi t
hourf it
tings
andwenttoabarar oundt ownjustt ochill
.I
cal
ledmywi feandireall
ymi ssedher .Wehung
upafterpr
omi si
ngtoseeeachot herlater.

Msi
zi
:“Dudey
ouar
ewhi
pped!
” 
Mnqobi:“Heiswor
sethanyou”Msi
ziwasal
so
marr
ied.These2weremyfr
iendsf
rom v
arsi
ty.
 
Me:
“Iam i
nlov
eman.If
oundmysoul
”
Msi
zi
:“Ncooooah”
 
Me:
“Dude,
that
’sgay
” 
Msi
zi
:“Mywifelov
essay
ingthat
”wel
aughed.I
r
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Amanda.
Me:
“Si
s” 
Amanda:“Couldyoupleasecometoyour
hospi
tal
?”shesoundedoutofbreat
h.
Me:“Whywhat’swrong?
”iwasal
readyonmy
f
eetheadedoutthedoor
.
Amanda:
“It
’sAphi
we”
 
Me:“WhathappenedtoAphi
we?”iwasal
ready
r
unningdowntheroadwit
htheguy
sonmyt ail
.
Amanda:“Shef ai
nted”ihungupandr antothe
workshopwherewepar ked.Ionl
ystopped
runni
ngwheni gottopayfortheti
cket.The
guyscaughtup.

Msi
zi
:“Dudewhatt
hehel
l
?” 
Me:
“Aphi
wei
sinHospi
tal
” 
Mnqobi
:“Okay
,we’
l
lfol
l
owy
ou”
 
It
ookmyt
icketandr
ushedt
omycar
.Myhands
wereshakingsobad.Iwantedtogettothe
hospi
talr
ightthatmoment.Iwasrushi
ngso
badinearl
ycausedanaccident.
 
Igottothehospi
tali
n10mi nut
es.Ipar
kedon
mypar ki
ngspaceandrushedtocasual
ty.I
foundmysisterwit
hSneandSihle.
 
Me:
“Whathappened?
” 
Amanda:“Wewerej
ustt
alki
ngandshegotup
andl
eft
.Sihl
efol
l
owedherandshef
aint
ed” 
Me:“Amanda”il
ookedatheri
ntheey
eand
shewassonerv
ous. 
Amanda:“Yes”shel
ookeddownpl
ayi
ngwi
th
herf
inger
s.
Me:
“Whathappened?
”

Sne:“Wewer
ejustt
alki
ngandt
hingsgotoutof
hand..
.”
 
Me:
“Tal
ki
ngaboutwhat
?” 
Sne:
“St
uff
.I.
.”
 
Me:“Coul
dyouf
ucki
nspeakup”i
shout
edand
shej
umped. 
Si
hle:
“Hey
!Cuti
tout
” 
Me:
“Shutupandst
ayoutoft
his”
 
Si
hle:
“Hahayoudonotwantt
ogot
her
edude.
Youdon’
twantt
opissmeoff!
”

Imovedclosertoherandst
oodri
ghti
nfrontof
her
.Ibentalit
tl
ebecauseshewasshor
talmost
Aphi
we’sheight.
 
Me:
“Orwhat
?” 
Si
hle:
“Youdon’
twantt
ofi
ndout
” 
Me:“Listentomey ougangst
erwannabe,you
don’
tgett ocomeonmygr oundsandfuckwit
h
me.Alliwantistofi
ndoutwhathappenedto
Aphiwe.That’
salli
want,sodon’
tcomehere
wit
hy ourgangst
erbull
shi
tandtel
lmewhatt o
do”

Si
hle:
“How,
Howdi
dyouknow?
” 
Me:“Youshoul
ddoyourr
esear
chcar
eful
l
y.
Youdon’
twanttof
uckwit
hme.”
Si
hle:
“Boydon’
tst
artshi
tyoucan’
thandl
e” 
Me:
“Whathappened?
”it
urnedt
oSne.
Sne:
“Iwasj
ustl
ooki
ngoutf
orher
.”
 
Me:
“Wi
thr
egar
dst
owhat
?” 
Sne:“Ij
ustwantedhertobesureabout
marr
y i
ngyou.Imeani hadabadmarri
age
and.
..
”iint
err
uptedherlaughi
ng.
 
Me:“Soy outhoughtt
hatiwoul
ddot
hesame
shi
tthatThapelodi
dtoyou?”
 
Sne:
“Howdi
dyouknow?
” 
Me:
“Li
kei
tol
dSi
hle,
doy
ourr
esear
ch”
Shewasaboutt
otal
kwhenDrMagwazacame.
 
Magwaza:
“Aphi
weEv
ans”
 
Me:“Thatwoul
dbeme”hel
ookedatme
sur
pri
sed.
Magwaza:
“DrEv
ans.Aphi
wei
syour.
..
” 
Me:
“Wi
fe.Whati
swr
ongwi
thher
?” 
Magwaza:
“She’
sawakeandshewoul
dli
ket
o
t
alkt
oyou.Shei
sinwar
d3aand..
.”
 
Ididn’
tevenwai tforhi
mt ofi
nish.Irantothe
war dandifoundheri nt
hesinglewar dalone.
Shewascr ying.Igottoherandpul l
edherinmy
arms.

Me:
“Ar
eyouokay
?” 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m okay
.I.
..
” 
Me:
“Whathappened?Whydi
dyouf
aint
?” 
Aphiwe:“Wehadaf ightwithSneandigot
upsetandlef
t.If
eltdizzyandiwokeuphere”
 
Me:“Youwereupsetbabyi
’
m sosor
ry.How
ar
eyoufeel
i
ng?” 
Aphi
we:“I
’
m okay
.Justf
eel
abi
tli
ghtheaded
and.
..
” 
Me: “Ineedtot
alktoyoursi
ster
.I’
l
lbeback.
..
”
beforeicoul
dgettothedoorshecall
edme
back.
Aphi
we:
“Don’
tgopl
ease”
 
Me:
“I’
m comi
ngbackj
ust
..
.”
 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m pr
egnant
..
.”andi
froze.
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t55
.
Aphi
we
.
2day
slat
er
Let ’
sjustsayNi ckcameandgav eThobaabl ue
eyebuthet ooki tli
keamanbutwhatpuzzl ed
met houghi st hesuddenconcer n.Imeani hav e
beenal oneal lthist i
mebutnowev eryonejust
thinkst hattheyhav easayinmyl i
fe.Igot
dischar gedt hepr evi
ousdayandThobahas
beent reatingmel ikeanegg.Idemandedhi m
togof etchSt effi fr
om Amanda’splace.

Mypar entswerear oundbuti

nhi di
ngasper
usual.Snewasn’ tt
akingmycal l
sandSihl
ewas
onmysi deallthetime.Isomet i
mesfeltl
i
ke
shewast hesisterandSnehat esmef ora
reason.Sihl
ehadpl annedtocomet hi
sside
withher4childrentoday.Soiam inbedijust
fi
nishedtaki
ngmymor ni
ngbathandThoba
getsinwithbreakfast.

Thoba:
“Goodmor
ningpr
egnantwi
fe”
 
Me:
“St
opi
t!
” 
Thoba:
“Why
?” 
Me:
“Justst
opi
t”hepl
acedt
het
rayonmyl
ap.
 
Thoba:
“Ar
en’
tyoupr
egnant
?” 
Me:
“Iam”i
wasr
eal
l
yannoy
ed.

Thoba:
“Ar
en’
tyoumywi
fe?
”hechuckl
ed.
 
Me:“Iam”igav
ehi m anugl
ylookandhe
l
aughedoutl
oud. 
Thoba:
“Okayt
hen.Youar
emypr
egnantwi
fe”
 
Me:“Wheredoyougetsomuchener
gy?I
t’
sso
ear
lyi
nthemorni
ng” 
Thoba:
“Justhappyy
ouar
emi
ne”i
blushed
.
 
Me:
“Thanky
ouf
orbr
eakf
ast
”iki
ssedhi
sli
ps.
 
Thoba:
“Yeahandi
t’
sget
ti
ngcol
d” 
West
art
edeat
ingandSt
eff
igoti
n.Sher
anand
j
umpedi
nbedcausi
ngmet
onear
lydr
opt
he
t
ray
. 
Thoba:
“STEPHANYEVANS!!Lookatwhaty
ou
di
d?Mommynearlygotbur
ned” 
Stef
fi
:“I
’m sor
rydaddy.I
’
m sor
rymommy
”she
hadtear
sinhereyes.
Me:“Comehere,i
t’
sokaybaby .Okay
?”she
noddedandiki
ssedherhead.Igaveherafor
k
andwestart
edeati
ng.
 
Thoba:“Imadet
hatf
oodf
ory
ouandshe
al
readyate”
 
Me:
“St
opi
tSabel
o”hesmi
l
ed.

Thoba:“SoSi
hleandSbuwi
l
lbeher
ein4
hours”
 
Me:
“Ineedt
opr
epar
efor
..
.”
 
Thoba:“Hol
ditri
ghtther
e,Amandaiscoming.
Speaki
ngofladi
es,what’
shappeni
ngwithy
our
si
ster
?” 
Me:
“Iwi
shi
knewmyl
ove.Iwi
shi
knew”
 
Thoba:
“It
’sgoi
ngt
obeokay
” 
Il
ookeddownonmypl ateanditwasnear
ly
fi
nished.Stef
fiwasqui
etl
ystuf
fi
nghersel
fwit
h
mybr eakfast
.

Me: “Stephany
,myf
ood”shel
ookedatme
sheepishly
.
St
eff
i:“Sor
rymommy
”Thobachuckl
ed.
 
Thoba:
“Letmegety
oumor
e” 
St
eff
i:“Pl
easedaddy
.Mommyi sver
yhungr
y”i
j
ustl
aughedatthi
ssneakychi
l
d.
Thobatookthetr
ayandwentt
oref
il
l.Myphone
rang,
itwasSihl
e.

Me:
“Mor
ningSi
s.”
 
Si
hle:
“Mor
ning.Howar
eyou?
” 
Me:“I’
m okay.JustthatThobaistr
eati
ngme
l
ikethi
sfr
agil
eper son.Iam onbedrest
.Who
goesonbedreston2mont hs?”Si
hlel
aughed.
 
Sihl
e:“Hei
sjustconcer
nedaboutt
hef
all
you
took”
 
Me:
“I’
mfi
ne.TheDrsai
diam f
ine”
 
Si
hle:
“Notf or
gett
ingthatThobaisaDrhimsel
f.
Anyways.Justcal
l
ingtoconfir
mthatwear eon
ourwayandwewi llseeyouinafewhours” 
Me: “Okaycool
.Ican’
twai
t.Whenl
astdi
dyou
speaktoSne?” 
Si
hle:
“Iwasaboutt
oasky
out
hesame
quest
ion”
 
Me: “Herphonei
soffandiam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed
nextweek.Wherei
sherdaught
er?” 
Si
hle:
“She’
swi
thus”
 
Me:
“Ihopenot
hinghappenedt
ohappenedt
o
her
” 
Sihl
e:“I’
m sur
eshei
sfi
ne.Any
whowewi
l
lsee
youlater
” 
Me:
“By
e”

Iturnedandl ookedatmysideofthebed.Stef
fi
wassl eepingalr
eady.Il
aughedandkissedher
forehead.Thobagoti nwit
hanothert
raybut
thi
st i
mei thadal otoff
ood. 
Me:“Whooahimaybepregnantbuti
alsodon’
t
pl
anontur
ningi
ntoanel
ephant” 
Thoba:“Don’tbef
orward.Iam al
sogoi
ngto
eatwit
hy ou”weateourbreakf
astandwheni
tr
iedtogocleanhestoppedme.  
Thoba:
“Aphi
wey
oudon’
twantt
opi
ssmeof
f” 
Me:“Thobaiam f
ine.Wearef
ine”itookhis
handandpl
acedinonmyt ummy .Hesmiled
fai
ntl
y.
 
Thoba:“Ij
ustdon’
twantany
thi
ngt
ohappent
o
you.Al
l3ofyou” 
Me:
“Not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappen”

Hetookthetr
aydownstair
sandhecameback
af
ter30minutes.Hej
oinedusi
nbedcuddl
i
ng
mefrom behi
nd. 
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
 
Me:“Il
oveyoutoo”i
closedmyey
es,
all
owi
ng
sl
eeptocome. 
.
.
TOTHOSEWHOWANTEDTOKNOW WHO
THOBAISANDHOW HEKNEW ABOUTSI
HLE
BHEKIANDPELO,
HERE’
SHOW.
.
Sihl
e:“Thatboydi
srespect
edmedadandhe
call
edmeagangster” 
Dad:
“Youar
eagangst
erbaby
” 
Si
hle:
“Iwi
shi
coul
djustpunchhi
m” 
Dad:“Ev
ansi sal
labouthisf
amil
ymessing
wit
heachotherbutiforwhenout
sidepeopl
e
messwiththem hegoesforaki
ll
sostayaway
fr
om wanti
ngt ohi
tthatboy”
 
Sihl
e:“Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ounev
ermadet
he
connecti
on. 
Dad:“TheEvansimetinBrazi
lyear
sagohad
nofamil
y.Hewastheretoteachmeev erythi
ng
iknowandthati
showwebecamef riends.
Turnsoutt
hemani sThoba’
sgrandfather”
 
Si
hle:“I
sheasdanger
ousaspeopl
emakehi
m
outtobe?”

Dad:“Heiswor se.Hedoesn’
tthi
nktwice
befor
ekil
li
ngandhesur eashelldoesn’
tgi
ve
secondchances” 
Si
hle:
“Whyi
sn’
thewi
thhi
sfami
l
y,hi
sson?
” 
Dad:
“Hedoescomeandvi
sitbutheusual
l
y
st
ayawayf
rom t
hepubl
i
c” 
Si
hle:
“Dad!
” 
Dad:
“What
??”
 
Si
hle:
“Thi
sisi
t.Fi
nal
l
y!”
 
Dad:
“Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutNosi
hle”
 
Si
hle:
“Thoba’
sgr
andf
ather
” 
Dad:
“Whatabouthi
m?”
 
Si
hle:
“Hei sthekey
.HecouldhelpNi
ckand
Nobuhle.Hecanhel
pthem dad!
”

Dad:
“Yout
hink.
..
” 
Me:“Yousai
dityoursel
f.Heist
heemost
i
nfl
uent
ial
gangst
erlordintheworl
dplusihave
nev
ermetamanwhomakesy oushiv
erli
kethi
s
sohecanhel
pus” 
Dad:“Doy
ouknowwhatt
hatmani
scapabl
e
of
?” 
Si
hle:
“It
’swor
that
ry”
 
Dad:“Youar
eaboutt
oopenabi
gcanof
worms”
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t54
.
Aphi
we
.
Iknewi t
.Iknewt hatThobawasgoi ngt obe
madatmebuti wasn’tent
ir
elyatfault
.Heis
thewhosai dishouldstoptakingpil
lswheni
fel
lsickandhadf lu.TheDrexplai
nedt hati
t
wasdur i
ngthattime, 2monthsagowheni fel
l
pregnant.
 
Me:“I
’
m sorr
y”t
ear
sjustf
ell
andher ushedt
o
me.Hepul
ledmetohi
m andi sobbed. 
Thoba:
“Whyar
eyouapol
ogi
zi
ng?
” 
Me:“Imessedthi
ngsup.Ial
lowedmy sel
fto
fal
lpr
egnantandnowyouareangryand..
.”he
putafi
ngeronmylipst
ostoptalki
ng.

Thoba:
“Iam supershockedbuti
am happy
” 
Me:
“Whataboutschool
?” 
Thoba:
“Youar
egoi
ngt
oschool
,aspl
anned”
 
Me:
“Buti
am pr
egnant
” 
Thoba:
“Notdi
sabl
ed”
 
Me:
“Whatwi
l
lpeopl
esay
?” 
Thoba:
“Jeeezy
ousuf
ferf
rom t
hatdi
sease?
” 
Me:
“Whatdi
sease?
” 
Thoba:“TheWhat -wi
ll
-peopl
e-saydi
sease.I
don’
tcare.Li
stenbabel egal
l
ywear ealr
eady
marri
ed.Nextweeki t
’sjustaformal
it
ysoy ou
areamar r
iedpregnantwoman”
Me:
“You’
rehappy
?” 
Thoba:“Ov
ert
hemoonbaby.Wehav
eanot
her
pri
ncessgr
owi
ngi
nsi
deofyou” 
Me:
“Youwantanot
hergi
rl
?” 
Thoba:“Yep.Idon’
twantason.Hewil
lbea
psycholi
kehisuncl
eMf undo”i
brokei
nto
l
aughterandhesmiled.
 
Me:
“Whycan’
thebel
i
key
ou?
” 
Thoba:
“Haveyouseenme?Iam mebabyand
noonemeasur
estothi
s”il
aughed.
Me:
“Conf
identmuch?
” 
Thoba:
“Youknowmemyl ov
e.”Hegotcl ose
andhekissedme.Thekissdeepenedandi got
cl
osert
ohi m moani
ng.Wepulledapartwhen
weheardsomeoneclear
ingtheirt
hroat.
 
Sne:
“Canwecomei
n?”
 
Thoba:
“No.Wear
ebusy
” 
Me:
“Thobapl
ease”
 
Thoba:
“Ift
heyupsety
oucal
lme”

Hewentoutaf
tergi
vi
ngmeanotherki
ss.Sne,
Si
hleandAmandagotcl
oser
. 
Sne:“I’
m sosorry
.Ididn’
tmeantost
ressy
ou
out.Iwasjustl
ookingoutfory
ou”
Me:
“It
’sokay
.Don’
twor
ryabouti
t”
 
Sne:“Thobawasreal
l
ymadatme.Henear
ly
chewedmealive”
 
Me:“Yeahheget
sli
ket
hatsomet
imesbuthe
meanswell
” 
Sne:“Theyareal
lli
kethatatt
hebegi
nni
ngand
then.
..
”Sihl
ecutherof
f.
Sihl
e:“Snefuckoffman.I fyoudon’
twantto
supportyoursi
ster
,pleasego.Leave.Ihav
ehad
j
ustaboutitwit
hy oursti
nkingatt
it
ude”

Sne:
“Ij
ustwantt
opr
otecther
” 
Si
hle:
“Thobai
sn’
tPel
o.Leav
etheki
dsal
one”
 
ThedooropenedandThoba’
smom r
ushedt
o
meandhuggedme.  
T’
smom: “Ohar
eyouokay
,icameassooni
hear
d?”
 
Me:“I
’
m okaymah.Apar
tfr
om t
hefactt
hati
hav
esomeonegrowi
nginsi
deme.”
 
Sne:“What
??Ar
eyoust
upi
d?”sheasked
angr
ily
. 
Me:
“Snewhati
syourpr
obl
em?
” 
Sihl
e:“Yes.Whatexact
lyisyourpr
obl
em
becausethi
scan’tbeaboutPeloal
one”
 
Sne:“don’tber
idi
culous.Idon’
twanty
ouhur
t
andnowy ouarepregnant.WaytogoAphi
we”
sheclappedherhands.

Me:
“Pl
easel
eav
emyr
oom Sne”
 
Sne:
“Li
stent
omeAphi
we.Hei
sgoi
ngt
orape
youandhewi
l
labusey
ou.Youwi
l
lnev
erbe
happy”
 
Me:
“I’
dli
ket
otaket
hatchance”
 
Sne:“Youar
est
upi
d.St
upi
d!”Si
hlesl
apped
her.
 
Sihl
e:“Enough!”theroom wentqui
et.Amanda
wasjuststandingthewit
hhermout hwideopen.
Iputafingerunderherchi
nandmadehercl ose
hermout h.
 
T’
smom: “Okayladi
es.Let
’sst
epoutfora
minut
eandgiveAphiwesomespace” 
Amanda:“i
’
llst
ayherewi
thher
”Si
hlenodded
andwal
kedoutfol
lowedbyMrsEandSne. 
Amanda:
“Hey
!Whatwast
hat
?”

Me:
“Ihav
enoi
dea.I
’
m cl
uel
essasy
ou”
 
Amanda:
“Hmmm.Any
way
,youar
epr
egnant
!”
 
Me:
“Yesandi
thoughtThobawi
l
lbemad.He
i
sact
ual
l
yhappy
!” 
Amanda:“Yeswell
hehastobehappy
.Ican’
t
wai
tfort
hewedding”i
becametear
y.
Me:“Whataboutschool
,whatam i
goi
ngt
o
do?
”iwipedmyey es.
Amanda:
“Whatdi
dThobasay
?” 
Me:
“Hesai
diwi
l
lgot
oschool
wit
hmy
t
ummy”
 
Amanda:“I
t’
sset
tl
edt
hen.Youar
egoi
ngwi
th
yourst
omach”
Thobawal
kedi
nwi
thi
sfr
iendswi
thabagof
food.

Thoba:“Iam backmypregnantwi
fe”andt
he
room f
il
ledwi
thlaught
er.
 
Me:
“real
l
y?Pl
easedon’
tbor
eme”
 
Thoba:
“Pl
easef
eedmydaught
er”
 
Me:
“Yeahwhat
ever
”iat
ethegar
li
cbr
eadwi
th
soupandappl
ejui
ce.Myphonerangont
he
middl
eofmymeal andianswer
ed.

Me:
“Hel
l
o” 
Ni
ck:
“Pr
egnantAphi
we,
pregnant
?” 
Me:
“Dad!Whot
oldy
ou?
” 
Dad:
“Itdoesn’
tmat
terwhoi
hear
dfr
om.Iam
comi
ngthere”
Me:
“Butt
heweddi
ngi
sin2weeks”
 
Dad:
:”Idon’
tcar
e.I
’
llseeyouint
hemorning”he
hungup.Thobamusthaveseenthewor
ryon
myface.

Thoba:
“What
’sup”
 
Me:
“It’
smydad.Hesay
she’
l
lbeher
eint
he
mor
ning”
 
Thoba:
“Heknows?
” 
Me:“Yesheknowsandhedoesn’
tsound
happy
” 
Thoba:
“Iam dead”
 
Me:
“Whatwhy
?” 
Thoba:
“Hewarnedme.Hetol
dmethatif
madeyoupr
egnanthewi
ll
kil
lme.Heevenput
agunonmyhead” 
Msi
zi
:“Fuck!
”
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t56
.
Thoba
.
Iam notagangst er.Myf at
herisnotagangster
,
i
nf acttheydon’tspeakwi t
hhisfat
her*my
grandfather
*.Heonl yaskedtohaveaccessto
hisgrandchil
drenandheaskedni celyhehe.
Thati
showi ett
ospendt
imewit
hhi
m andt
hat
i
showi knewaboutt
heZul
us.
 
Aphiwebeinginhospi
talshookmeupsobadl yi
want edt
okil
lsomeonebuthearingthatsheis
pregnantmakesmef eelbadbecauseiam very
happyaboutthebabybutinawayi t’
sgetti
ngin
thewayofAphiwe’sdreamsandt hatmakesme
feelsobad.

Ireal
l
ywanthert ogot oschoolandstudy.Itol
d
heractuall
yipromisedherandshei sgoi
ngt o
school.Shegivesbir
thinApri
landthatgi
v esus
ti
met oprepareherforschoolandthebaby .
Ihaveal
sobeenl ooki
ngi
ntohir
inga
nanny/
housekeeperandanewschoolf
orStef
fi
.
Ohandanotherthing,
iam get
ti
ngmarr
ied.

Iam gett
ingmarr
iedt
omysexyfei
stybeaut
if
ul
wif
e.Ilovehermanandshecompl
etesme.One
thi
ngi vowtodoi stonevercheatonher.Sheis
ever
ythingandmor e.SotodayisThursdayi
havetogof etchAphiwefrom thehospi
tal
.She
hasn’
tbeent hesameandshebl ameshersel
f
forf
all
ingpregnant,ineedtotalkt
oheragain.
 
Onmywayt hehospi t
alipassedbyMusgr ave
Centretobuyflowersandat eddyforMY
Aphiwe.Igottothehospitalandfoundher
asl
eepi nbed.Shelookedsopeacef ul
and
beauti
fulicoul
dwat chheralldaybutineeded
togetherhomeandt orest.

Me:“Baby
”i shookherali
tt
leandsheopened
herey
esbli
nkingrepeat
edl
y. 
Aphi
we:
“Hey
”shewhi
sper
ed.Iki
ssedherl
i
ps.
 
Me:
“Heybaby
.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
” 
Aphi
we:
“If
eel
good.
.i’
mreadyt
ogohome”

Me:
“I’
veal
readysi
gnedev
ery
thi
ng.Ij
ustneed
y
out
ogetdr
essedandwe’
l
lbeonourway
” 
Aphiwe:“Okay ”shegotoutifbedandmadeher
waytothebat hroom butwhenshereachedt
he
doorsheturnedar oundandlookedatme.
Aphi
we:
“Thobai
..
.”i
curherof
f
Me: “We’l
ltal
kathome.Gogetdr
essed”she
noddedandl ookeddownwal
ki
ngtothe
bathroom.
 
Ir
eceiv
edacallf
rom anunr
ecogni
zednumber
whil
ewait
ingf
orAphiwe.
Me:
“Hel
l
o” 
Cal
l
er:
“Thobai
t’
sBheki
Zul
u.Si
hle’
sfat
her
…?”
 
Me:“OhyesMrZul
u.WhatcanIdof
ory
ou
t
oday?”
 
Bheki
:“Canwemeet
?” 
Me:
“Today
?” 
Bheki
:“Whenev
ery
oucan”
 
Me:
“Todayi
sabi
toutf
orme.Aphi
wei
s
comi
nghomet
oday
.” 
Bheki
:“Okaywe’
l
lmakei
ttomor
row.
” 
Me:
“Okaynopr
obl
em si
r.Thanksby
e”

AfterthatphonecallIwonderedwhathe
want edt otal
ktomeabout.Aphiwegotoutof
thebat hroom wear
ingherdenim dr
essand
whitesl eeper
s. 
Me:
“Ready
?” 
Aphiwe:
“Yes”Iki
ssedhercheekandt
ookher
bag.Wewentout.
 
Ipassedt
her
ecept
ionar
eaandMpi
l
ost
opped
me.
Mpil
o:“DrEv ans,
nicet
oseey
ou”hegav
emea
handshake.
Me:“Nicet
oseey
out
oo.Your
emembermy
wi
fe,Aphi
we?”
 
Mpi
l
o:“Mr
sEv
ans”Aphi
wej
ustnodded.
Mpi
l
o:“Whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackt
owor
k?”
 
Me:
“Why
,you’
renotcopi
ng?
” 
Mpilo:“Iam copingver
ywell
.Themoneyi
s
real
lygood.I
t’sjustt
hatwhenyoucomeback
i
tsgonnagobackt owhatIwasearni
ng
before”
 
Me:“Soi
notherwordsyouwantmet
ost
ay
homemore?
”Ichuckled.
Mpi
l
o:“Wel
l
…”wel
aughed.
Me:“Don’tworry
.I’
m get
ti
ngmarr
iednextweek
af
terthatIwil
lgoformy4monthshoneymoon
soyourjobissafe”
 
Mpil
o:“ThanksDoc.Letmegetgoi
ng.Mr
s
Ev
ans…” 
Wewal kedt ot
hecarmyonehandhol di
ng
Aphiwe’shandandtheotheroneonthebag.I
openedt hecarandshegotit
.Ial
sogotinand
droveout .
 
Me:
“Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?” 
Aphiwe:“Ri
bswi
thl
otsoff
ri
esandAppl
e
j
uice” 
SoIdr ov
et oGatewayandboughtt hethi
ngs
thatshewant ed.Wealsowentt owooli
es
becauseitwascol dandAphi weneededmore
sleepwearforSteff
iandher.Wewentt oMusica
andboughtacoupl eofmov ies.Ourl
aststop
wasatBr eadAheadt obutdoughnuts.

Onourwayt
othepar
kinglotwer
ani
nto
Nomzamoandmyfat
her. 
Nomzamo:
“Oh.Myst
epson”
 
Dad:
“Zamopl
ease”
Me:
“Real
l
ydad.Real
l
y?”
 
Dad:
“Pl
easedon’
ttel
lyourmot
her
.We…”
 
Me:“Aymanfuckof
f”Ipul
l
edAphi
weand
wal
kedaway.
 
Aphi
we:
“Thoba”
 
Me:“Yesbaby”nomatt
erhowmadIam
hear
ingAphi
we’svoi
ceal
wayscal
msmedown.
 
Aphi
we:“Calm down”Inodded.GotI
nthecar
anddrov
ehome.10mi nuteslat
erwewere
home.ItookAphiwei
nsideandputheronbed.

Aphi
we:
“ThobaIcanwal
k” 
Me:
“Iknow.I
’
llbebackj
ustnow”
 
Iunloadedevery
thi
ngandwentinsi
detodish
upforAphiwe.Itookherf
oodupstai
rsand
foundherfi
nishi
ngupaphonecall.
 
Me: “Her
ey ouar e.Let ’
sfeedyouandourbaby
gir
l”andshej ustlookeddown.Il etherbe.I
wantedhertoeataf t
ereat i
ngthenwecoul d
tal
k.Weat einsilenceandIwasokaywi t
hthat
.
Whenwef inishedeat ingItooktheplates
downstai
rs,washedt hem andwentbackt oour
bedroom.
Me:
“Tal
ktome”Isai
djoi
ningheri
nbed.
 
Aphi
we:
“I’
m sor
ry”
 
Me:
“Whatar
eyousor
ryf
or?
” 
Aphiwe: “Iknowt hisbabywasn’
tplanedandI
won’ tbl
amey ouify ouhatemeorwantt ost
op
theweddi ng.Idon’twantyoutothi
nkIam
trappingyouwi t
hababyand…. ” 
Me:“Whoawhoawhoa.Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?” 
Aphiwe:
“Thebaby
.Iknowy
ouar
enotr
eady
for
…” 
Me:“AphiweIloveyouandourbaby.Iknowi
t
wasn’tpl
annedbutbabyIam happy
.Sohappy
t
hatyougett ocar
ryoutsecondbor
nandIlov
e
youforthat
”

Aphi
we:
“Soy
ouwantt
hebaby
?” 
Me: “YesIwantt
hebabyandyouaregoi
ngt
o
schoolwit
hyourbi
gstomachnexty
ear” 
Aphi
we:
“But
…” 
Me:“Nobaby
.Youar
egoi
ngt
oschool
now
r
est
” 
Aphiwe:“Okay .
”Shegotundert
hecoversand
snuggl
edcl osertome.Iki
ssedherf
orehead
andwesl ept.
 
Iwaswokenupbyar
ingi
ngphone.I
twas
Si
hle.
 
Me:“Mr sDlamini
”shelaughed.Wefi
xedthi
ngs.
Iapol
ogisedtoherforbei
nganassandshe
punchedmyst omachIthenmadef unofSbu
formarr
y i
ngagangster.

Si
hle:
“Fucky
ouboy
” 
Me:“Eeewno.Idon’twantyourroy
alcooki
e.I
gotmyownfreshniceyoungclean….”
 
Si
hle:“Dudeno,t
hat
’smysi
sterman”Il
aughed
outloudandAphi
wewokeup. 
Me: “Sor
rybaby.Seenowmywi
fei
sawake
becauseofyournoise”
 
Si
hle:
“What
ever
” 
Me:“Sot
owhatdoIowet
hisr
oyal
phone
cal
l
?” 
Sihle:“I
’
m suremyfat
hercal
ledy
ou.Ineedt
o
talktoyouaboutsomet
hing”
 
Me:
“OkayI
’
mli
steni
ng”
 
Sihl
e:“Ineedyourhel
p.Wel
lAphi
we’
spar
ent
s
needyourhelp.
” 
Me:
“Myhel
p??
” 
Si
hle:
“Youaretheonl
ypersoncl
osetoyour
gr
andfat
herandhecanbr
ingthem backher
e” 
Me:“Mygrandf
ather
?Thatni
ggawon’
tdo
not
hingf
oryou’
ll
” 
Si
hle:
“Thati
swhyy
ouneedt
otal
ktohi
m.
Pl
easedude.Thi
nkabouti
t”andshehungup…
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t57cont
inuat
ion
.
Aphi
we
.
Ilookedatthisoldmant henbackt oThoba
whoseemedf rozenont hespot.Ilookedback
atthismanandi sawt hathereall
yl ookedli
ke
Thoba’sfather.Every
thingwashi m ev enthe
heightandbodysi ze.Hewaswear ingaone
buttonblacksuitwithapur pl
etie.Hel ooked
reall
ygood.Mygoodnessi wasdr ooli
ng.I
clearedmyt hr
oatandst oodup.
Me:
“Woul
dyoul
i
kesomet
hingt
odr
ink?
” 
Oldman:“YoumustbeAphi we.You’
remor
e
beaut
if
uli
nperson”i
blushed 
Me:
“ThanksMrEv
ans.
” 
MrEv
ans:
“Pl
easecal
lmegr
anddad”
 
Me:“Okaygr
anddad.Cani
gety
ouany
thi
ngt
o
dr
ink?
” 
Gr
anddad:
“Whi
skey
?”

Me:
“Any
thi
ngnon-
alcohol
i
c” 
Granddad:
“I’
l
lhav
eacupofcof
feewi
th1
t
easpoonofsugar
.” 
Me: “Comi
ngri
ghtup”befor
eiwenttothe
ki
tcheniwal
kedovertoThobaandshookhim.
Hesnappedoutofit
. 
Me:
“Ar
eyouokay
?” 
Thoba:
“Yes.Yes,
i’
mfi
ne”
 
Me:“I
’m gett
ingy
ourgranddadsomecof
fee
woul
dyoul i
kesome?”
 
Thoba:
“I’
l
lhavewater
”ilef
tthethereandwent
togett
hem wat
erandthecoffee.
..
Thoba

Aphi
welef
ttheroom andwenttot
hekit
chen
l
eavi
ngmewi t
hmygr andfat
her
.Il
ookedathi
m
ashecametositnexttome.
Me:“Gr
andpaar
eyoucr
azy
?Whatar
eyou
doi
ngher
e?” 
Gr
andpa:
“Heywat
chi
tboy
.I’
m st
il
lyourel
der
”.
Me:
“Sorr
ybuty
ouknowhowdanger
ousi
tis
f
oryout
obehere”
 
Grandpa:
“Relax.Iam l
eav
ingi
naf
ewhour
s.I
gotyourmessage” 
Me:
“Youcoul
dhav
ecal
l
edmeback.
” 
Grandpa:“Thisneedmetobehereandtot
alk
toyourwife.Ial
soneedtoti
ght
enupthe
securi
tyaroundyouguys”
 
Me:
“Secur
it
y?Whatsecur
it
ygr
anddad?
” 
Grandpa:“All
theseyearsCaleb,youthi
nki
wouldstayinanotherconti
nentandnotmake
sureyouaresafe?Eversinceyouwer eali
tt
le
boyyoualwayshadpeopl eprotect
ingyou”
 
Me:“Sothatmeansy
ouknowaboutt
he
Mi
ll
ers?
”

Aphiwewalkedi nwi t
hatrayandshepl
acedit
ontopofthet able.Shehadchangedi
ntoalong
maroondressandputonahat .Sheatt
empted
tol
eavebuti stoppedher. 
Me:“Pl
easejoi
nusthi
sconcer
nsy
ou”shesat
downnextt
ome.  
Grandpa:“IknowabouttheMi
ll
ersandi
know
aboutyourrequestt
hati
helpt
hem” 
Aphiwe:
“What’sgoi
ngon?”i
placedmyhand
ontopofhershaki
ngone.
 
Me:“Isentmygrandfat
heramessageaski
ng
hi
shelpaboutmovingyourpar
ent
sbackto
Sout
hAf
ri
cawi
thoutt
hem bei
ngki
l
led”
 
Aphi
we:
“Real
l
y?”herf
acel
i
tup.
 
Grandpa: “Thatiswhyi cameher eimmedi atel
y.
Iknowal l aboutt
heMi l
lersandihavemett hem
beli
evemewheni sayiwouldmov ethem ifi
couldbuti tsoutofmyhands.I fimov ethem or
evenstar tplanni
ngitialr
eadyhavet okil
l34
meni nor derformet ogettothebigguy .That
wouldt akeal oadofamountofwor kpluscause
analert.Byt heti
mei ’
m donethisguywoul d
havefled.”

Aphi
we:
“Soy
ou’
resay
ingt
haty
oucan’
thel
p
me?”
Grandpa:“It
’soutofmyhandsmychi l
d.The
bestthaticandoistoarrangeti
ghtsecuri
tyso
thatyouweddinggoessmoot hl
ybecause
alr
eadytheyknowt hatyourpar
entshavebeen
i
nandoutofSout hAfri
ca” 
Aphiwe:“They
?Whoarethey
?”shewasnow
cr
yingipull
edhert
ome. 
Me:“Shhhbabyst
opst
ressi
ng?Pl
easet
hink
aboutt
hebaby”
Grandpa:“TheyareverybadpeopleAphi
we”
shejustcri
edloudl
y.Ihel
dherclose.
 
Me:
“Ther
eisnot
hingy
oucando?
” 
Grandpa:
“Likeisai
dicanonl
yprot
ectt
hem
duri
ngthecauseoftheweddi
ng”
 
Me:
“Ar
eyougoi
ngt
obet
her
e?”
 
Grandpa:
“Yesiwil
lbutnowi
havet
ogo”he
stoodupandcametous.Hepul
l
edAphi
weup
andhuggedher.
 
Grandpa:“I
t’
sgoingt
obealr
ight
”herubbedher
backandletgo.Wefi
stbumpedandheleft
aft
erthat
.

Aphi
we
.
Thehopet hati hasaboutbeingwit
hmy
parentsvanished.Wewentt obedthatnight
andmyhear twasv erysorebutwhatconsol
ed
mewast hatmypar entsweregoingtobewith
mel ongerthatbefore.Igotacal
lfrom an
unsavednumberandi pi
ckedup. 
Me:
“Hel
l
o?”
 
Cal
l
er:
“I’
m sor
ry”shesai
dsobbi
ng.
 
Me:
“Sne!Wher
ear
eyou?
” 
Sne:“I’
m wit
hSihl
e.I’
m okay.
.i
’
m sosor
ry
Aphiwe.It
houghtiwasprotect
ingy
oubutin
act
ualfactiwashurt
ingyoubabyi’
mreal
ly
sorr
y”shecri
edlouder.
 
Me:
“It
’sokay
.It
’sokay”Thobawaslooki
ngat
me,
questi
oni
ngmei justpushedhi
m off
. 
Sne:
“Canwemeett omorrow?Si
hleandIwil
l
comether
e..
.wai
t.
..
shewantstot
alktoyou”i
hadsomeshuffl
i
ngsounds.
Si
hle:
“Heysi
s.”
 
Me:“HeySis.HowisSne,
doesshel
ookf
ine?
Wherehasshebeen?”
 
Si
hle:“Rel
ax.We’l
ltal
ktomorr
ow.Don’
tcook.
We’l
lbri
ngevery
thingokay?
” 
Me:“Okay”i
justagr
eedbecauset
herewasno
usear
guingwit
hSihl
e.Wesaidgoodbyesand
hungup.
 
Thobapul
ledmet
ohi
m andki
ssedmy
for
ehead.
 
Thoba:
“Whatwast
hatal
labout
?” 
Me:
“Sihl
efoundSneandt
heyar
ecomi
ngov
er
t
omorr
ow” 
Thoba:“Ohthat’
sgood.
”Heki
ssedt
hesi
deof
myf aceandm hi
shandsst
art
edtor
oam
aroundmybody  
Thoba:
“Sooo,
mydesser
t.
..
.”
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t57
.
Aphi
we
.
Iwokeupl aterthatdayandIf el
tbett
er.Being
i
nhospital mademecr ankyandmybodyhur t
l
ikehellbutbeinghomemademer el
ax.Igotup
andwentt othebat hroom.Iwashedmyf ace
brushi
ngmyt eeththenheadedbackt othe
bedroom.Iwaswear ingThoba’sgreyt-
shirtbut
i
tlookedlikeani ghtgown.

Iputonmysleepersandwenttot
heki
tchen.
WhenIgotthereThobawascooki
ngdi
nner .I
j
ustsmil
ed.Wehav ebeenthr
oughal
ott hese
l
astcoupl
eofmont hsandwewereget
ting
marri
edinaweek.Ican’
twaitt
obeMrsEv ans.
Hetur
nedar
oundandnot
icedmel
ooki
ngat
hi
m.

Thoba:“
Howl
onghav
eyoubeenst
andi
ng
ther
e?”
Me:
“Longenought
oseehowsexyy
ouar
e.”
Thoba:
“Whome?Si
l
lyol
dme?
”
Me:
“Yesy
ougr
andpa.
”Hechuckl
ed
Thoba:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”

Heaskedwal
ki
ngtowar
dsmeandki
ssedme.
Hel
ookedatmeconcer
ned.
 
Me:
“I’
mfi
neSabel
o.”
Thoba:
“Youl
ookpal
emyl
ove.
”
Me:“I
’l
lbefinebef
oreyouknowi
t.Justf
eedme
l
otsofgreensandtakecar
eofmyanaemi a
and.
.
Thoba:
“Aphi
weyouhav eanaemia?”hel
etgoof
meandputabitofdi
stancebetweenus.
Me:
“Yes.Ihav
ehadi
tfory
ear
s.”

Thoba:
“Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
” 
Me:
“Ievenfor
gotIhadi
t.TheDrhadt
oremi
nd
methati
…” 
Thoba:
“Howcoul
dyoubesocarelessAphi
we?
Doyouknowhowdanger
oust
hisis?” 
Me:
“Idi
dn’
tknow.I
’
m sor
ry”
 
Thoba:“YouarepregnantAphiwe.Iwantyou
safeandhealt
hy”hebrushedhisheadlooki
ng
down.Iwalkedovertohim andputmyarms
aroundhi
m.  
Me:
“We’
reokaybaby
.Okay
?” 
Thoba:
“Ij
ustdon’
twantany
thi
ngt
ohappent
o
you”
 
Iki
ssedhi
m.Iki
ssedhi
m deepl
y.Theki
sswas
gett
ingheatedthatIpulledbackandour
for
eheadswer etouching.Wewer ebr
eathi
ng
heavil
y.Hi
shandwentundert het-
shi
rtIwas
wearingandhecar essedmyt hi
ghs.

Thoba:“Iwi
l
l haveyouf
ordesser
t.Di
nneri
n5
minut
es”heturnedandcont
inuewit
hhis
cooki
ng. 
Me:
“Doy
ouneedhel
p?”
 
Thoba:
“Nobabyjustr
elaxy
oursexypr
egnant
sel
fwhil
eIf
ini
shhere”
 
Me:“Youreadyfort
hebigday
?”het
urnedand
l
ookedatmebi t
inghi
sli
p. 
Thoba:
“Baby
,Iwasbor
nready
”Il
aughed
Me:
“Hmmm.
.”
 
Thoba:
“What
sthatsupposet
omean?
”

Me:
“IfNi
col
ehadn’
t…”hewasi
nfr
ontofme
l
i
keaspeedofl
i
ghti
tshockedme.
 
Thoba:
“Shei
sgone.Youar
ehereandl
ikeI’
ve
sai
dbefor
eYouweremadeformebaby
”  
Me:
“Okay
”Inodded.
 
Thoba:
“Howar
etheweddi
ngpr
eps?
” 
Me:“Verywelll
ove.Ihavetocally
oursi
ster
aboutmyhai
r st
yli
st.Thegirl
shegotmeis
bi
tchyashel
l.Iwantt ochangeher
.” 
Thoba:“Isn’
titabi
tlat
ef orthat?Imeanbabe
youdon’twanttobebridezil
l
anowdoy ou?”I
gavehi
m al ookandhechuckl ed.

Me:“YouknowwhatThoba,keepyourshi
tand
Iwil
lkeepmine”hel
aughedsohar
dheheldon
tohi
sst omach.
 
Thoba:“Speaki
ngofshi
t.Thepr
enupt
ial
agreement?
” 
Me:
“Wher
edoIsi
gn?
”hel
ookedatme
conf
used 
Thoba:
“Excuseme,
what
?” 
Me:
“Wher
edoIsi
gn?
” 
Thoba:
“Si
gnwhat
?”hel
ookedpi
ssed.
 
Me:
“Thecont
ract
.”
 
Thoba:
“Whyshoul
dyousi
gnany
thi
ng?
” 
Me:
“Topr
otecty
ouasset
s” 
Thoba:
“WTF?
”hechuckl
edsar
cast
ical
l
y.
Me:
“What
?”

Thoba:“Iam mar
ryi
ngyou.Nocontr
actno
OOCOP.Thisisnotabusi
nesst
ransact
ion
Aphiwe.
 
Me:“Whati
fsomet
hinggoeswr
ong?What
i
f…?
” 
Thoba:
“Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oleav
eme?
” 
Me:
“Iwoul
dnev
erl
eav
e…”
 
Thoba:
“Nocont
ractmyl
ove.Il
ovey
ou.
”He
ki
ssedme.
 
Wefoughtaboutt
heprenupti
alagr
eementand
hewantsustoshareever
ythi
ngsoweare
get
ti
ngmar r
iedI
COPsoIl ethi
m be.

Wesett
hetabl
eandwehadourdi
nner
.It
t
ast
edreal
l
ygood.
 
Me:
“Whot
aughty
ouhowt
ocook?
” 
Thoba:
“Nonhl
e” 
Me:“Tast
esr
eal
l
ygood”Isai
dst
uff
ingmy
f
ace. 
Thoba:
“Thanksmyl
ove”
 
Wecont i
nuedtotalk.Af
terwewer edoneeati
ng
wewentt otheloungeandsatthere.Thoba’
s
handwasbr ushi
ngmyt highssending
sensat
ionsonmybody .
 
Thoba:
“Thatdesser
tthaty
oupr
omi
sed
ear
li
er…”
 
Heleanedov erandweki ssed.Hepull
edmet o
hisl
apandIsatdi rect
lyonhi smanhood.We
heardsomeonecl eari
ngt hei
rthr
oatandwe
j
umpedpul l
ingapar t
.Ilookedupandsawt hi
s
tal
lgreyhai
redstri
kingl
yhandsomeol dman
l
ookingatuswi thasmi leonhisface.
 
Thoba:
“Gr
anddad”
 
Ol
dman: “
Caleb”hesaidsmi
li
ngwhi l
eThoba
ontheot
herhandlookedsoshocked.
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t58

Aphi
we

Thoba’
shandtr
ail
eddownmyt hi
ghsopeni
ng
meup.Hisfi
ngerswentupunt
ili
tcamein
contactwithmycookiejar,Imoaned.He
cl
aimedmyl i
psandweshar edav eryhungry
ki
ss.Hi si
ndexfingerwasrubbingmybut t
on
andIwasgr i
ndi
ngonhi shand,hesl owly
pushedhi sfi
ngerinandgasped.Hi sfi
nger
goinginandoutwhi l
ehewasgoi ngdownwi th
hi
ski ssesunti
lhecamei ncontactwi t
hmy
cookiejar.

Heopenedmeupwi derthanbeforeandhe
smiledbeforeli
ckinghi sl
ips.Hekissedthe
i
nsidesofmyt highsgoi ngclosertothecookie.
Whenhegott oithepl antedti
nykissesallov
er
i
t,i
twassof r
ustrati
ngt hatIwantedhimt oget
i
tov erwi
thbuthewast akinghi
stimenot
want i
ngtorushed.

Me:
Babypl
ease.
Thoba:
Pleasewhat
?
Hepushedhi sfi
ngerdeeperandIscr eamed,he
pul
leditoutandhi sfi
ngerwasr epl
acedwith
hi
st ongue,hi
stonguegoinginandoutofmy
cookiewhil
ehisthumbpr essingonmycl i
t.I
wassocl oseandhef elti
tbecausehepulled
backandheknel tsit
ti
ngonhi sfeet
.Iopened
myey esandlookedathi m.Hehadt akenoffhi
s
cl
othesandIdon’ tknowwhen
.
Me:Areyour
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
oleav
emehangi
ng
l
iket
his?
Thoba:
Tel
lmewhati
sitt
haty
ouwant
?
Me:
Iwanty
ou.
Thoba:
Youhav
eme,
all
ofme.
Me:
Thobapl
ease.

Her
oughl
ypul
l
edmet
ohi
m andpi
ckedupmy
l
owerbody ,
myheadandmyshoul derswer eon
thebedwhilemyl owerbodywasi ntheair.My
cooki
ewasr ightonhisface,heheldmyass
bri
ngingmecl oser.Hi
stonguewentin,he
l
ickedandsuckedgr oaningcausi
ngv i
brat
ions
onmycl i
tandt hatsentchi
ll
sonmybody .I
shookuncontroll
ablyandheletgoofme.

Hequickl
ygotontopofmeandheent er
edme.
Bothofusscreamedandwef roze.Hewas
bal
lsdeepinmycookieanditfeltsopainf
ull
y
good.Helookedatmewithhishalf-
closedeyes
andhelookedsosexy.
Het henstartedt
omov e,
mov i
nginandout
slowlyitf
eltsogood.Ial
mostfor
gothowgood
thisfeel
swi t
hallt
hedramainmyl i
fe.He
cuppedmyf acemakingmelookathim.

Thoba:
Ilov
eyou.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Thoba:
Pleasemar
ryme.
Me:
Iwi
l
linaf
ewday
s.

Hepickedupthepaceaft
erthatgoingdeeper
androl
li
nghishi
p.Damnt hi
sMrknowhi sstuff
.
Hefli
ppedmeov erandIwasont opofhim
str
addli
nghi
m.
Me:
Babyi
…
Hestart
edtoevenhar
derthanbef
oreI
scr
eamedf orhi
mtostopandhestopped
l
ookingalar
med.
Thoba:
DidIhur
tyou?
Hi
smanhoodwast
wit
chi
ngi
nmycooki
ejar
.

Me:
youar
eint
oodeepanddon’
tpusht
oohar
d.
Thoba:
I’
m sosor
rybaby
,Igotcar
ri
edaway
.
Me:
itsokay
.
Istartedmov i
ngmy sel
f,hej
ustl
aidbackwit
h
handsbehi ndhisheadandwatchedmemov e
biti
nghi sl
i
pgr oani
ng.Iwasnowmov i
ngona
fasterpacebutalsogri
ndingandrubbi
ng.He
fl
ippedmeov eragai
nandIwasonmyknees.

Hegentl
ypushedinsi
dememov ingonav er
y
sl
owpace.ItwassogoodthatIdidn’
tknow
whatt
odowi thmysel
f. 
Hemov edf
asterandIcame.Hecameright
aft
er,
wecoll
apsedonthebedbreat
hing
heavi
l
y. 
Thoba:
Arey
ouokaybaby
? 
Me:
Yes,
I’
mfi
ne.
 
Thoba:
Idi
dn’
thur
tyou?
 
Me:
I’
mfi
nemyl
ove.
Hepul l
edoutwenttothebathroom, cameback
andcleanedusup.Igotupt odri
nkwat er
,I
washedmyhandsandf ace.Iwenttot he
bathr
oom andhewaschangi ngt hesheets.I
squir
tedli
keal
ways. 
Thoba:Ihadtochangethesheets.Whatwi
l
l
Stef
fit
hinkwhenshefindsoutthathermom
peesonherself
? 
Me:
Hahaj
erk.Youmademedoi
t.
 
Thoba:
AndIl
ovei
t.
 
Wefi
nishedmaki
ngthebedtoget
her
,gotunder
t
hecoversandwecuddl
ed.
 
Me:
Baby,howdi
dyourgr
andf
athergeti
nsi
de
t
hehouse?

Thoba:Mygrandpaisagangster
.Heusual
ly
breaksi
nonforceshiswayit
.Hecanbreakin
withusawakeandwewoul dn’
tevenknowthat
hewashere. 
Me:
Heseemsdanger
ous.

Thoba:
Heisbutheseemstakenwi
thy
ouso
don’
tworr
yaboutany
thi
ng.
 
Me:Mmm babeweneedt owakeupearly
tomorr
owbecauseSihl
eandthekidsar
e
comingal
ongwithSbuandSne. 
Thoba:Noways.Tomor
rowt
hehousekeeperi
s
comingover
.
Me:
Whatt
ime?

Thoba:
I’m notsur
emylovebutIwil
lfi
ndouti
n
themorni
ngwhatt i
me.Nowsleep.
 
Me:
“Il
ovey
ou”
 
Thoba:
ILov
eyout
oo.
 
Hepul
ledmetohi
m pul
l
ingmylef
tlegupand
heent
eredmeIwassur
pri
sed.
 
Me:
Thoba….Imoaned.
 
Thoba:
Shhhhhsl
eep.
 
Hedidn’
tmov e.I
twasdi
ff
icul
ttofall
asl
eep
wit
hhim deepinsi
demebutaftersometi
meI
dosedoff
.

*
Weddi
ngday
*
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t59
.
Aphi
we
.
Iwokeupf eel
i
nganxi ous.Ihardl
ygotanysleep.
Mypar entsarri
ved2day sagoandmom was
theonewhoputmet osleep.Snecameandwe
sortedoutourdifferencesandshepromisedt o
giveThobaachance.Speaki ngofThoba,i
haven’tseenhim sincey est
erdaymorni
ngwhen
hel
eftf
orhi
spar
ent
’shouse.

Steff
iwassl
eepingpeacefullynexttome.She
di
dn’twantt
oletgoofmel astnightsoi sl
ept
withme.Il
ayinbedstari
ngatt heceili
ng;I
’
m
getti
ngmarr
iedtoday
.Wheni checkedthetime
i
twas4am.Ir ubbedmyt ummyf eel
ingmy
bump, i
twasnowv er
yvisi
bl e.

Itookmyphoneanddi
all
edThoba.He
answeredont
he2ndri
ng. 
Thoba:
“Baby
,ar
eyouokay
?” 
Me:
“Yesbabe.Iam j
ustanxi
ous.Can’
tsl
eep?
” 
Thoba:
“Hav
en’
tsl
ept
.”
Me:
“Thobawhatt
hehel
l
?”

Thoba:“Iam t
ooexci
ted.Ican’
twai
ttomake
youmine” 
Me:
“I’
m al
readyy
our
s.”
 
Thoba:“Yeahyeahwelli
can’
twaitforever
yone
toseeyousosexygorgeouspregnantsel
f.
Babeican’twai
ttot
akeoffyourweddingdress
and.
..
”

Me:“Hai
boyouhaven’
tevenseenmeinmy
dr
essyoual
readywantt
ot akei
tof
f”i
sai
d
l
aughi
ng.
 
Thoba:
“Welly
ouar
esexyhey.Especi
all
ynow.
Yourbr
east
smoref
ull
and.
..
.”
 
Sbu:“Whooathat
’smyli
tt
lesi
sterEv
ansshut
i
t”hesai
dinthebackgr
oundandtheguys
l
aughed.
 
Me:
“al
lofy
ouar
eawake?
”

Thoba:“Yep.Onlymom anddadsl
ept
.I’
m sur
e
theyar
ebusyf .
..
” 
Me:
“Okay
.Toomuchi
nfo”hechuckl
ed.
 
Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoorandmypar
ent
s
goti
n. 
Me:“Mypar
ent
sjustwal
kedi
n.Iwi
l
lseey
oui
n
4hour
s” 
Thoba:“4hour
s”wesai
dourgoodby
esand
hungup.

Yeswear eget
ti
ngmar r
iedat8h00sot hatwe
canspendthewholedayrelaxi
ngwithour
famil
i
esbeforegoi
ngont hat4months
honeymoon.Hewasn’tj
okingaboutthatand
wewer egoi
ngtoPari
s.Imagine.It
urnedmy
att
enti
ontomyparentssitt
ingup.

Me:
“Mor
ning”i
greet
edy
awni
ng.
 
Dad:“Mor
ningangel
”hecameandki
ssesmy
cheek.
 
Mom: “Mor
ningbaby
”shecameandgoti
nbed
nextt
oStef
fi
. 
Me:
“Whyar
eyouupsoear
ly?
”

Dad:“Youaregett
ingmar
ri
ed.Mybabyi
s
get
ti
ngmar r
ied”
 
Me:“Iknow.Ican’
twai
tmom”i
sai
dlooki
ngat
her
,huggi
ngher. 
Mom: “Asl
ongasy
ouar
ehappy
,isuppor
tyou
baby
” 
Me:“Iam happytobeget
ti
ngmar
ri
edwi
thbot
h
myparent
sher e”
 
Dad:“I
’
mj usthappyyougav
eusaachance.
Youandyoursist
ers”

Wecont i
nuedtal
ki
ngandjoki
ngaround.An
hourl
aterSihl
egoti
nsayi
ngbreakfastisready
andthatwas6h15.Wewenttohavebr eakfast
buti
coul
dn’
teat
.
Snedi
shedupf
ormebuti
sai
dno.
 
Me:
“Ican’
teat
.I’
mtooner
vous”

Sne:
“Thebabyneedst
oeatsi
s”shepushed
thef
rui
tsal
addi
shtome.
Me:“I
’
llhav
ejui
ce”i
pour
edj
uicebutSnet
ook
i
taway.
 
Sne:
“Eaty
ourf
ucki
nfood”
 
Mom:
“LanguageSne!
”

Sne:“Sor
rybutt
hisbr
atneedst
oeat”istood
upandwalkedoutoft
hekit
chencr
ying.Ical
l
ed
Thobacry
ing.
 
Thoba:
“Baby
..
” 
Me:“They.
..
they
..
.t
hey
..
.i
..
.i
..
.i
..
”icoul
dn’
ttal
k
pr
operl
y.
 
Thoba:
“Aphi
we,
whathappened?Shoul
di
comeover
?” 
Me:
“Sne.
..
she.
.i
sfor
cingmet
oeat
”imanaged
t
osay

Thoba:
“That
’swhat
’smaki
ngy
oucr
y?”
 
Me:
“Idon’
twantt
oeat
”sni
ff
ing.
 
Thoba:“Babyy
ouhavet
oeatsothatmy
daught
ercangrowsomemore”
 
Me: “Youdon’
tlov
emeany
mor
e”i
star
ted
cr
yingagain.

Thoba:
“Whatdoesl
ovi
ngy
ouhast
odowi
th
youeat
ing?
” 
Me:
“Idon’
twantf
ood!
” 
Thoba:“Okaybaby
.Okay
,whatdoy
ouwant
?”i
hungup. 
Ri
ghtaf
terhangi
ngupmymakeupar
ti
stSne,
Sihl
eandAmandagoti n.Iwentt ot
akea
shower.Icamebackandt hereweretwomore
l
adiesbusywithSneandAmanda.Ihadt owait
fort
heonet hatwasdoingSihle’
smakeupto
comeanddomi ne.

Shedi
dmymakeupandi
wassoemot
ional
.
 
Sne:“Pl
easedon’
trui
nyourmakeup.
”Shesai
d
smil
i
ngatme. 
Amanda:
“Youl
ooksensat
ional
.
 
Me:
“Thanky
ou”i
whi
sper
ed.
 
Thel
addi
esgotdr
essedwhi
l
eif
ini
shedwi
thmy
makeupandhai
r.
 
Mom gotinwithStef
fi
.Shewaswear
ingt
he
exactdr
essthatiwasweari
ng.
 
St
eff
i:“Mommy
.Wear
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
” 
Me“Yesbabywear
e.”
 
If
ini
shedev
ery
thi
ngandi
wasr
eadyt
ogo.
 
.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Iwasstandi
ngoutsidethechurchwit
hmy
par
ents.Theladi
eshadalreadygoneinandi
wasonlylef
twithparent
s. 
Dad:
“Your
eady
?” 
Me: “I
’
m notsure.Iam goi
ngt
obesick”i
att
empt edt
owal kawaybutmom pul
ledme
backandgav emebottl
edwater
. 
Mom:“Rel
axbaby
.Ithappens.Justt
akeadeep
br
eat
handrel
axokay?”inodded.
 
Af
tersometimei cal
meddownbutThoba’
s
mom walkedoutcomingt
owardsus.
 
Nonhl
e:“Ev
ery
thi
ngokay
?”

Mom:
“Ner
ves.Shewant
stor
unaway
” 
Me:
“Mom!
”Thoba’
smom l
aughedandhugged
me.
 
T’smom: “Thesethingshappen,whatweneed
i
sf oryout obesure.Themi nut
eyousetfooti
n
thatchurchyou’l
lbealri
ght.Okay?”
 
Me:
“Okay
” 
T’
smom:
“Ready
?”i
nodded.
 
Mom: “Suchpeptal
kf ory
ourson.OohNonhl
e
youtr
ait
or”andthel
aughed,Thoba’
smom
pushi
ngmom light
ly.

Dad:
“Canwepl
easego?
” 
Mom andThoba’smom wenti
nsi
dethechurch
andwefollowed.Wewentupt
hestai
rsand
stooddi
rectl
yatthedoor
. 
Dad:
“Ready
?” 
Me:
“Yes.Iam r
eady
” 
Asongcameon,
Shani
aTwai
nFr
om t
his
momenton.
“From t
hismomentLifehasbegunf r
om t his
moment ..
.”andwestar
tedwalkingdownt he
i
sle.Every
onewasont heirf
eetandsmi l
ingat
me.Ilookeddowntheisletotheendofi tand
therehewas.Helookedsogor geousthati
almostcry.

Oureyesl
ockedandi j
ustwal
kedwithmyeyes
onlyonme.Hewasl i
keamagnetpulli
ngmeto
hi
m.Wef i
nall
yarr
ivedandhewalkedtous
shaki
ngdad’
shand. 
Dad:
“Takecar
eofher
” 
Thoba:
“Iwi
l
ltakecar
eoft
hisgol
ddi
amond”
 
Hepull
edmyhandandwewal
kedandst
oodi
n
f
rontofthepr
iest
. 
Priest:“Dearl
ybel
ovedwear egather
edhere
todayt owitnesst
heunionofAphiweCamill
a
MillerandThobaSabeloCalebEvansbutbefor
e
wepr oceediwoul
dli
ket oask.Whogivest
his
womanaway
?” 
Mom, DadandSne:
“Wedo”henoddedandhe
cont
inued.

Heopenedthebi
blet
alki
ngaboutmarr
iageand
aft
erawhil
ehespokesotogivepeopl
ea
chance.
 
Pri
est:
“Whoherefeel
sorthi
nksthatt
hisman
andwomanshouldnotbejoi
nedtoget
her.Do
speaknoworf
oreverhol
dyourpeace.
.”
 
Welookedaroundthechur
chandev
ery
onewas
qui
etl
ookingaroundaswell
. 
Pri
est:“Okayl
etuscont
inue.Cani
pleasehav
e
theri
ngs..
.”
 
Stef
ficametogiveustheri
ngswit
hNdumi .
Theylookedsocute.Ndumiwasdressedj
ust
l
ikehisuncl
eThoba. 
Pri
est:“Iam notgoingt
ogiv
ethecouplea
chancetosayt hei
rvows.Mi
ssMil
ler
..
.”it
ook
Thoba’
shandsi
ntomi
ne.

Me: “Thoba, idon’tevenknowwher etost art

butwhati doknowi sthatiloveyouf i
rst.Thank
youf orlovingmeandseei ngt hatiam wor thy
enought obest andingheret oday.Whenwe
fi
rstmeti didn’tl
ikeyoumuchbecausey ou
weret hisrudear rogantbossbutwheni gotto
knowy oubet terifoundoutt hatyouaret he
world’smostawesomeper sonev er”everyone
l
aughed.

Me: “Youofal l
peopleknowwhati havebeen
through, t
hingsthatifoundoutandt heywere
toomuchbuty ounev ergaveuponmei nst
ead
youwer emyst rengt
hnotonl ythatbutyouhave
alsobeenmybestf r
iendandy ouhelpedme
pullthrough.Ifihadn’tmety oui don’
tknow
howi wasgoi ngtogett hroughallthosethi
ngs.
Ilovey ouSabeloandi thanky ouformakingme
t
hehappiestwomanonear th.Sowi
ththi
sringi
t
heewed...
”ifi
nishedandsli
ppedari
ngonhi s
r
ing.Hewipedmyt ear
s.Itwasnowhistur
nt o
t
alk.

Thoba:“YouhadmeatMrEv
ans”ev
ery
one
brokei
ntolaught
er.

Thoba: “Il
ov eYouCamill
a.Thanky ou, Thank
youforlovi
ngmeback, f
orgiv i
ngthisjerka
chance.Yesy ouhavebeent hroughal otanda
l
otofpai nbutsomeoft hatpainwascauseby
me.Younev ergaveuponme, onus.You
provedt omewhatt ruel
over eal
lymeans.I
havebeenmar ri
edbefor
ey esbuti canseenow
thatyouaret heonemadef orme.You
acceptedmeandl ovemydaught erasy ourown.
Thanky oubaby .Wit
hthi
sringmyl ov e,my
sweetheartitheewed.”
Aft
erthatheputonthatbi
gdi
amondr
ingonmy
fi
ngerandwesmi l
ed. 
Pri
est:
“Byt hepowervestedinmebyt he
Cathol
icChurch,
inowpr onouncey ouhusband
andwife.Youmaysalutey ourbr
ide” 
Thobapull
edmei nforahugandspunme
aroundl
aughing.Ev
eryonest
oodupclappi
ng
thei
rhands.
Me:
“Putmedown!
”isai
dgi
ggl
i
ng.
Thoba:
“Saypl
easemyhusband?
”

Me:“Pleasemyhusband.Heputmedownand
heki
ssedme.Heki ssedmesogoodandwarm
imoaned.Sbuseparatedus.
 
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
ou”
 
Me:
“Il
ovey
out
oo.
”

Wewal
keddownt
hei
slehol
dinghands,
peopl
e
congratul
ati
ngusandthrowingpetalsatus,al
l
overus.Wegotoutsideandwewentt othecars
thatwewer eusi
ngfortheday.Wegoti nour
car,meThobaandSt ef
fi.Therestusedthe
othercars.

Wewentt otakepict
ures,wetookpictur
esat
t
hebeach, Botani
cgardenandweal sowentto
t
akeoneatourhouse.Byt hetimewewer e
f
inishedi
twas13h00.Wewentbackt othe
venueandev ery
onewaswai t
ingseated.

Westart
eddanci ngwit
hourpartner
sand
ThobabeingThobahedancedl eavi
ngme
behi
ndwant i
ngtoshinebutwhenhewasi nthe
middl
etheDj changedthesongtoMafi
ki
zolo-
Bhuti
nghambanawe.
Ever
yonewentcrazyandi st
art
eddancing.
Thobatur
nedsoquicklyandlookedatmewi t
h
ahugesmileonhisface.Ihel
dmydr essandi
dancedtowardshi
m.Hewasjuststanding
ther
ewi t
hastupi
dgri
nonhi
sf ace.Igothim
andlaughed.

Thoba:
“Damn,i
didn’tknowthaty
oucoul
dgo
downli
ket
hat
”ikissedhisl
ips.
Me:
“St
ickwi
thme”
 
Wewalkedt
othet
abl
eandsatdown.My
st
omachwasnowmakingnoi
se.Thobacal
l
ed
Amanda.
Thoba:
“Pl
easegetAphi
wesomef
ood”
Amanda:
“Wet
oldhert
oeati
nthemor
ning
and.
..
”

Thoba:“Amanda,
pleasegetmypr
egnantwi
fe
food.
”
Shewenttodi
shformeandgav
emet
hef
ood.I
l
ookedatThoba.
Thoba:
“Eat
”inoddedl
i
keachi
l
d.

Theprogram wasgoi ngandtherewer e

speechesevery
wher e.WehadNat hi
as
enter
tai
nment,thewor ks.I
twasnowt i
meto
thr
owt hebouquet.Snecaughtitbutshethr
ew
i
tatSihle’
scousineveryonelaughed. 
I
twasnowt
imet
ogi
vewor
doft
hanks.

Thoba: “Iwil
lbeshort
.Ij
ustwantt
othankour
famil
ies,ourfr
iendsandal
somywi f
e.Thanks
toeveryonewhocameandmadet hi
sdaya
success” 
Me:“Thankyouforcomi
ngtocel
ebr
atet
his
wonder
fuldaywit
hus.Godbl
essyoual
land
t
hankyouagain.
”

Ever
yoneappl
audedandwegotof
fst
agebut
wasstoppedbyThoba’
sdad.
T’
sdad:“son,
whereisthegar
ter
?”Thoba
l
aughedandpull
edachairmaki
ngmesi t
.He
gav
emeasmi leonl
yi knewwhati
tmeant.
Helif
tedmydr essandgotunder neat
hit.He
wentupmyl egsrunninghistongueupmyl egs
tomyt hi
ghsthatijumpedpushi nghi
sheadout.
Hecameoutl aughing.Hekneltandputhis
handsundermydr ess.Hepur posel
yranhis
fi
ngersovermypant i
esi moaned.Hef i
nall
y
tookitof
fandt hr
ewi t
. 
Wewal kedoutandpeopl
ewerebiddi
ng
f
arewelltous.Wegotint
hecaranddrovet
o
t
heairport.Iwassot
ir
ed.

Me:
“Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
” 
Thoba:
“Pari
sofcour
se”St
eff
iwast
ojoi
nusi
n
2weeks. 
Wef i
nal
l
ygottotheair
por
twewer el
edt
othi
s
pr
ivat
esect
ionleadi
ngtoapr
ivat
ejet
.Wegoti
n.
Me:“Ohmygoodnesshowdi
dyoupul
lthi
s
of
f?”
Thoba:
“Mygr
andf
ather
” 
Wet henmettheteam onthejetthatwasgoing
tobet aki
ngcareofus.Webuckledupandt he
planetookoff
.Wewer eonairandi coul
dn’
t
stopsmi l
i
ng.Itur
nedandlookedatThobawho
wasal sosmil
ingatme.

Me:
“What
?” 
Thoba:
“Justt
hinki
ngabouthowl
uckyi
am”
 
Me:
“I’
mthel
uckyone.Il
ovey
ou”
 
Thoba:
“Il
ovey
out
oo”

Theatt
endantgotpushingat
rol
l
eywi
thdr
inks.
Thobahadjui
ceandi hadwat
er.
Thoba:
“Tous”
 
Me:
“Tous”andawaywewent
.
[
06/
11,
22:
48]Ron:
Made-
Mai
dJustForHi
m

I
nser
t60 
FI
NALE
.
Aphi
we
.
2y
ear
slat
er.
.
Li
fehasbeenf ant
abulous.Wehadmov edt
oa
muchbi ggerhousebecausei gavebir
thtotwi
n
boysandt heywereoney earsold.Iwas
pregnantagainwithanothersetoftwinboy
s.
Don’tl
ookatmel i
kethat,Thobacanscore.
 
Stef
fiwasinGrade1andshewenttoCr awf
ord
Coll
egetoget
herwithNdumi.Iwassi
tt
ingat
homev er
ypregnantohandiwasdoingmy2nd
yeari
nTeaching.Yep,
iwanttoneateacher
.I
l
ovei
t.Thobahadgoneoutf
oraf
ewhour
s. 
TurnsoutThobai safil
thyri
chmi l
l
ionaire,
his
grandfatherr
eleasedhistrustf
undwhenhe
turned21sowor kingwassomet hi
ngt hathe
l
ov ed,notsomet hi
ngthathehadt odo.
Iwassunbathingoutsi
dewearingmy
swimwear.Iwas6mont hspregnantandthi
s
ti
mearoundmyst omachwassov erybi
g.I
musthavefall
enasleepwheni f
eltsomeone
l
ift
ingmeup.Hegr oaned

Thoba:
“Damny
ouar
eheav
y” 
Me:
“Shutupbecausei
tsy
ourdoi
ng.
” 
Thoba:
“Howexact
lyi
sitmydoi
ng?
” 
Me:
“Youl
ovesex”hechuckl
ed.

Thoba:
“Youshouldhavegonef
orpr
event
ion”i
shookmysel
foutofhi
sarmsandinear
lyf
ell
.
Hel
ookedatmeshocked.
Thoba:
“Aphi
we.Whatt
hehel
l
?” 
Me:“You’
resayi
ngt
hati
t’
smyf
aul
tthati
’
m
pr
egnantagai
n?”
 
Thoba:“What
?NO!Iwasj
ustmessi
ngwi
thy
ou.
I
’m sor
ry”

That’swhatmakesThobaabet terman.Hej ust

apologisesbecausehedoesn’
twantanydr ama.
Iremembert hisoneti
mewehadanar gument
andi justwal
kedoutofthehouse.Iendedupat
uMhl angaBeach.Itwasalongwayfrom home
andi walkedther
e.Iwasjustafewweeks
pregnant. 
Inowr egret
tedwalki
ngawaybecausenowi
hadnomodeoft ransportt
ot akemehomesoi
decidedtowalkbackhome.Iwascr yingandi
cameacr ossthi
sguywhof el
tsorr
yf orme.He
askedtogi v
emeal i
ftbutiaskedforaphone
i
nstead.Ical
ledThobaandhewassor el
i
eved
t
ohav efoundme.Apparent
lyihadbeen
missi
ngf or5hours.I
magi
ne.

Sonowwearestandi
nghereandi
justr
eal
i
sei
overr
eact
edonceagai
n. 
Me:
“Iam sor
ry”hepul
l
edmet
ohi
m. 
Thoba:“I
t’
sokay”.Hesai
dkissingmyhead
countl
essti
mes.Isnuggl
edcloselyandhe
chuckl
ed. 
Ov ert
hey earsireal
i
sedt hatThobahadbeen
thebestf r
iendihadbeenmi ssi
ng,
themissi
ng
pissofthepuzzle.Withouthimi woul
dn’
thave
madei tthisfar
.

Me:
“Let
’sgocheckonourchi
l
dren”
 
Wewentinsi
deandfoundthem wat
chingSofi
a
t
hefi
rst
.I’
m sur
eSteff
idemandedthatthey
wat
chSofia.
 
Thoba:“Kids”theboysturnedaroundandran
tous.Thobapickedbothoft hem upandiwent
tosi
tnexttoSteffi
.Sheaut omati
call
yputher
headonmyt hi
ghsibrushedherhead.

St
eff
i:“Il
i
kei
twheny
oudot
hatmommy
” 
Me:
“Br
ushi
ngy
ourhai
r?”
 
St
eff
i:“Mmmm”
 
Thehousephoner angandThobaat tendedtoi
t.
Hecamebackl ookingpissed.Ipl
acedSteff
i
asi
degivi
ngherkissesalloverherfaceandshe
wasgiggl
ingnonst op.

St
eff
i:“Il
ovey
oumommy
”shesai
d
br
eathl
ess.
 
Me:
“Ilov
eyoutoo.”Istoodupandwal
ked
t
owardsmyhusband. 
Me:
“What
’sup?
” 
Thoba:
“Nomzamoi
sonherway
” 
Me:
“Oooohokay
”

Nowi getit
,Nomzamo’ skidreal
lywasMr
Evanschi l
d.Agi r
lsoi guessshecamet odrop
herof fasshewasgoi ngawayf ormonthst o
wher ewedon’ tknow.Thobar eall
yhatedher
becauset hechildconfirmati
oncausedadent
onThoba’ sparentsandt heirmarri
age.Itgotso
badt hatshehadf il
edf ordi
vorce.MrEv answas
begginghernonst opandshewoul dn’
thearany
ofit.2day sbeforetheywentt ocourtwe
gatheredallthekidsandwet ookthem toher
andt heydidthebeggi ng.

Shethendeci
dedtogiv
ehi m achancei
fhe
messeditupshewouldleavethecount
ryand
nevercomeback.Soal
lwasf orgi
venbut
Nomzamol ef
tabitt
ert
asteonev ery
one’
s
mouth.Thati
swhyshenev ermadeanycontact
wit
hMrEvans.Shenor
mal
l
ydr
opsMi
chael
aat
ourhome.

Therewasaknockont
hedoorandThoba
answered.
 
Thoba:
“Comei
n” 
Shegoti
naf
terMi
chael
a.Sher
anpastmet
o
theki
ds.
 
Nomzamo:
“Hel
l
o”Thobal
ookedatherbl
ankl
y.
 
Me:
“Hel
l
oZamo.Howar
eyou?
”

Nomzamo:
“I’
m good”shel
ookedner
vous.
 
Me: “Wouldyoulikeanythi
ngtodri
nk?”Thoba
tur
nedandl ookedatmesoqui ckl
y.Hehadt hi
s
confusedexpressioniwantedt
olaughbuti
hel
dmy sel
f.
 
Nomzamo:“Nothanks.Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng”she
qui
ckl
ywal
kedoutthedoorandi l
ookedat
Thoba.
 
Thoba:
“What
?”heshr
ughi
soneshoul
der
. 
Me:
“Thatwasn’
tni
ce”hewal
kedaway
.

.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
3mont
hsl
ater
.

Doc:“MrsEvansi
needf
ory
out
obr
eat
he.
Breat
hforme” 
Me: “Don’ttel
lmethatshi
t.Ihav
etopush
Thoba’sbigheadedkidsandnowi shoul
d
breath.FuckyouThoba!”
 
Thoba:
“Her
ewegoagai
n” 
Doc:“OkayMr
sEvansyouar
enowf ul
l
ydi
l
ated
soiam goi
ngt
oneedyoutopush”
 
Thoba:“Pushbaby
”hesai
dki
ssi
ngmysweat
y
for
ehead.
Doc:“Ont hecountofthree,
onetwo
thr
ee..
.pusssh”
 andipushedsqueezingon
Thoba’shand.Ipushedforabout5mi nutesand
thefi
rstbabycamecr yi
nghislungsout. 
Doc:
“Lookyher
e.I
t’
saboy
.Let
’spushagai
n
MrsEvans.
” 
Me:
“Ican’
tican’
tican’
t”
 
Thoba:
“Babypl
ease.
.justonemor
eti
me”
 
Ipushedagainandanotherbabycame.Itwasa
babygir
l andThobawept.Ipassedout
aft
erwards. 
Iwokeuphour
slat
erandSne,Thoba,Si
hle,
Sbu,
AmandaandSphewerewhisper
ing.
 
Me:
“Whyar
eyouguy
swhi
sper
ing?
”

Thoba:“Baaby
, y
ou’
reup.
”IlookedatSneand
hereyeswereredfr
om cr
ying.
 
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?Wher
ear
emyki
ds?
” 
Thoba:“Nextt
oyou”iturnedonmysideand
theyweresl
eepi
ngdressedinpinkandbl
ue.
 
Me:
“Theyl
ooksocut
e” 
Thoba:
“Mydaught
erl
ooksgor
geous”
 
Theroom wentqui
ett
hati
lookedar
oundat
ever
yone.
 
Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
” 
Sne:
“Iam sosor
ryAphi
we”

Me:
“What
’sgoi
ngon?
” 
Sne:“Mom,shepassedaway
.Theyshotheri
n
thehear
tandhead”
.
Yes,mom di
ed.Theykil
ledher,
shewaski l
l
ed
bythesamepeoplethatwantedthem dead
l
ongago.
Mydad,Thoba’
sGrandf
atherandSihl
e’sf
ather
di
sappearedf
orweeksandwesawpeopl e
dyi
nginthenews,
highpol
iti
calpeopl
e.Af
tera
whil
etheycameback.
 
I
twashardondadbuthepul l
edthroughafter
wethr
eatenedtoneverseehi
m againbecause
hewouldnoteatordri
nkanyt
hing.

Ifi
nall
ygraduatedandbecameaqual i
fi
ed
teacher.I
ttookal otofbeggi
ngforThobato
all
owmet ogot eacher.Soiam nowateacher
atUml azi
.
Snehadgott
enhersel
fagoodguyAbongwe
andtheywer
etaki
ngthingssl
ow.
 
Thoba:“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngouther
esol
ateat
ni
ght?”

Me:“I’
mjustt
hinki
ngaboutmyl
i
fe5y
ear
s
ago”
 
Thoba:“
We’vecomethi
sfar.Iam happywe
madeitti
ll
now.Il
oveyou”hesaidhuggingme
fr
om behi
nd.Westandi
ngatthebalcony.
 
Me:“Canyoubeliev
eit?Iwasj
ustaMai
dwhen
imetyou”i
turnedaroundandpl
acedmyar
ms
onhi
sneck. 
Thoba:“Buty
ouwer
eMadeJustForMe”and
wekissed

THEEND